Post-Storm Care

September marks six months since Kona low storms hit the islands. Many residents are still rebuilding from the disaster and working with professionals on roof repairs, remediation and restoration, and flood cleanup. For minor damages, homeowners are turning to DIY repair resources available at home improvement stores. 

“Kona lows came in waves and lasted for an extended period,” says Craig Morrison, associate director of retail operations at Hardware Hawaii. “In between waves there was a rush to prepare for the next blow. If one leak is left unaddressed, the effects would be significantly worse.” 

Products like rubberized roof sealants are crucial to have on-hand for leak prevention. It’s also a good idea to keep sealants ready as hurricane season continues.

Morrison says homeowners have reported lingering moisture “from the ceiling, walls, baseboards, even in the attics.” Cases of widespread mold growth are best handled by remediation and restoration specialists, but there are some steps you can take to reduce the daily effects of moisture:

• Dry-out spaces by using heavy-duty air movers and vacuums.
• Hang moisture absorbers in tight spaces like attics and crawlspaces.
• Use storage totes to separate belongings from areas affected by moisture.
• Repaint with mold- and mildew-resistant paints after walls are clean and dry.

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Matthew Giraudy, Hardware Hawaii’s associate director of lumber operations, offers the following advice for other post-storm home repairs: 

Swollen or Sticky Doors 

“After a heavy storm or during periods of high humidity, it’s common for a door to become difficult to open or close. Before assuming the door needs to be trimmed or replaced, take a moment to identify what’s causing the problem. A wood door may have absorbed moisture and swollen, the door jamb could be damp from water intrusion, loose hinges may be causing the door to sag or the home’s framing may have shifted slightly. Look for rub marks, check for moisture and see if the issue improves once the weather dries out. Identifying the cause first can save time, money and unnecessary repairs.”

Repair or Replace?

“If a door continues to stick after it has fully dried, light sanding or planing may be enough to fix the problem. A hand plane, power planer or sandpaper can be used, but [make sure to] only remove enough material to eliminate the rubbing and be sure to reseal the exposed wood. If the door has significant moisture damage or repeated warping, replacement may be the best option. In Hawai‘i’s humid climate, fiberglass doors offer the best resistance to moisture.”

Warped Floors 

“If your floors start to warp, the first thing to do is find and stop the water that’s causing the problem. Small warps may flatten out once the floor has time to dry, so don’t rush to replace it. Using fans or a dehumidifier can help speed up the drying process. If the floor is still warped after it’s completely dry, you may need to replace the damaged boards.” 

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This story appears in the September/October 2026 print issue of Ku‘u Home magazine.