Cleaning Flood-Damaged Homes
Information on flood insurance claims, electrical systems, food and water sanitation, carpets and rugs, and other necessary
Storm Recovery Guide
Topics include: Be Safe: Stay Healthy after Disaster, Surviving and Recovering from a Power Outage, Restoring Storm-damaged Buildings, Salvaging Water-damaged Belongings, Lawn and Garden Losses, Financial Recovery and Risk Management
Disaster Information Resources Series
These publications are designed to help Louisiana residents recover from floods, storms, extended power outages and other stressful, dangerous events.
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WHAT SHOULD I SALVAGE?
HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHICH OF YOUR FURNITURE PIECES
SHOULD BE SALVAGED.
ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
— WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE?
— COST OF THE ARTICLE?
— SENTIMENTAL VALUE?
— RESTORATION COST?
— ANTIQUES ARE PROBABLY WORTH RESTORING. MINOR REPAIR CAN BE DONE
AT HOME, WHILE EXTENSIVE WORK SHOULD BE DONE BY A RELIABLE
FURNITURE REPAIR SHOP.
— SOLID WOOD FURNITURE CAN USUALLY BE RESTORED, UNLESS DAMAGE IS
SEVERE.
— WOOD VENEERED FURNITURE MAY BE WORTH REPAIRING IF THE VENEER IS
LOOSE IN ONLY A FEW PLACES.
— UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE MAY BE SALVAGEABLE IF PADDING AND
UPHOLSTERY ARE REPLACED.
DON'T GET TAKEN
NOW THAT THE STORM HAS PASSED, IT IS TIME TO CLEAN UP AND REPAIR. THIS
IS A DIFFICULT PERIOD AND ONE WHEN OVER-STRESSED HOMEOWNERS OFTEN
FALL VICTIM TO UNSCRUPULOUS WORKERS.
BEFORE HAVING ANY WORK DONE ON YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY, FIND OUT
ABOUT THE PEOPLE WITH WHOM YOU ARE DEALING.
— ARE THEY LICENSED BY THE STATE? ANYONE DOING HOME
REPAIRS IN KENTUCKY MUST BE LICENSED BY THE STATE.
— ASK FOR PROOF OF LIABILITY INSURANCE. WITHOUT IT, YOU COULD BE
SUED BY THE WORKER IN CASE OF ACCIDENT.
— BEFORE ANY WORK BEGINS, HAVE A WRITTEN AND SIGNED CONTRACT.
MAKE SURE ALL DETAILS OF THE JOB ARE CLEARLY SPELLED OUT.
— YOUR CONTRACT SHOULD STATE BOTH A BEGINNING AND A COMPLETION
DATE FOR THE JOB.
IF SOMEONE COMES TO YOUR HOME ASKING FOR WORK, YOU HAVE
THREE WORKING DAYS TO CANCEL ANY AGREEMENT YOU MAKE WITHOUT A
PENALTY.
BE SURE YOU HAVE THE ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF THE CONTRACTOR.
IF YOU CALL TO CANCEL A JOB, IT IS SMART TO FOLLOW-UP WITH A
CERTIFIED LETTER SENT "RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED."
NEVER PAY FOR WORK BEFORE IT IS DONE, AND NEVER GIVE WORKERS
MONEY TO BUY SUPPLIES UNLESS YOU KNOW THEM WELL.
IF SUPPLIES MUST BE PURCHASED AHEAD OF TIME, BUY THEM AND BRING
THEM HOME YOURSELF.
NEVER SIGN A COMPLETION STATEMENT UNTIL ALL WORK HAS BEEN
SATISFACTORILY FINISHED.
IF YOU'RE PAYING ON CREDIT, KNOW ALL OF THE LOAN DETAILS AND, IF A LIEN
IS BEING PLACED AGAINST YOUR HOME, BE SURE THAT ALL CONTRACT BLANKS
ARE FILLED IN BEFORE SIGNING.
