Some disasters can’t be avoided—no matter how many precautions we take. When natural disasters visit your area, you may experience home damage. In that case, your main concern will be to fix the most pressing problems quickly. If flooding is rampant, for example, you will need to deal with water damage and get your house livable again.
You can’t do the necessary work with your bare hands. When disasters of any kind strike, you will need proper tools and materials to cover holes, fix broken windows, and close roof leaks. These stop-gap measures can at least make your home inhabitable until the pros can come in for bigger renovations.
To provide an instant fix to the damages caused by floods, hailstorms, earthquakes, or other calamities, you will need the following basic materials:
- Plywood – You can create a temporary fix for your walls, roof, floor, windows, or doors with pieces of plywood. Thick and sturdy ¾” plywood is ideal, but any type of plywood can make your home habitable and safe for the short term.
- 2”x4” studs – These are used for basic home framing and can also come in handy for shoring up your home in the event of structural damage.
- Tarps – When plywood is not available, tarps can be used to cover anything that is broken, including roofs, windows, doors, and walls.
- Furring strips – These are thin wood strips that will keep your tarps from flapping when the wind is strong. If furring strips are not available, you can improvise by cutting strips from cardboard boxes.
- Clear plastic sheeting – This comes in rolls and can be easily stored in your garage for emergencies. Use the sheeting when a tarp is not available to keep your house dry and comfortable.
- Caulking – This can be used to fix different types of leaks. Having a caulking gun handy will make the process easy.
- Duct tape – Every homeowner should have this versatile and all-purpose repair material at the ready.
- Wire ties – These are indispensable for holding things together.
- Extension cords – If your electrical system is damaged, cords can provide a temporary work-around.
- Hardware – Always keep an assortment of screws, nails, and fasteners to make repairs convenient.
These are the basic things you need for making emergency repairs at home. Take a minute to gather them together and keep them in a safe place. You never know when disaster may strike. If you do experience an emergency, call Utah disaster clean-up specialists to restore your home to its original condition.
