Whether the flood in a house is caused by groundwater or a malfunction of the home water system, there are several steps you should take within the primary 24 hours after the flood to provide the safety of your house and family.
Here are 7 steps to take when your home is flooded
1. Avoid Additional Risks
If the flood was dangerous enough for you to leave your home, be sure you stay safe upon your return. You should check for any noticeable structural damage, like warping, loosened or cracked foundation elements, and holes before entering the house.
Besides, it’s very important to turn off all water and electrical sources within the home.
2. Take Pictures
Before you do home remediation or make any repairs, fully document the damage for your insurer by taking photos or video. If you start removing water or making repairs before you photograph the damage, you could potentially decrease the extent of your coverage.
3. Protect Your Health
Even if the water in your home is clear, it may be contaminated by sewage or household chemicals. Out disaster restoration company recommends wearing waterproof boots, hip- or waist-high, waders. Be sure to throw out any food that may have acquired contact with floodwaters.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
Since you should notify your insurer soon as possible after the home flooding, it’s a good idea to keep your insurance company and local agent’s number in your always-ready emergency bag.
Advise your insurance representative of the state of your home and any repairs you intend to do immediately. Be sure to follow the insurance company’s direction about whether or not to wait for an adjuster to inspect the property before making repairs. Document the damage and conversations at every stage of the process.
5. Find Out if You’re in a Disaster Area
Once a region has been officially declared a “disaster area” by government authorities, property owners have access to increased resources, including public services to protect and remediate the area. In addition, you may have access to financial assistance.
6. Remove Water
The longer the water sits, the more damage it will cause. As soon as it is safe, pump out any standing water. If you are dealing with a natural flood, wait to dry until the floodwaters have receded below your house.
To remove water from the flooded home, you can hire professionals who will do it quickly and efficiently. Also, experts will help you to remove all soaked and contaminated materials. Depending on the level of damage you received, you may need to throw furniture, carpet, and other textiles.
If you see water damage on walls after a flood, you will need to remove all of the wet material, including insulation, wood by-products, and anything else porous.
7. Mitigate Mold Damage
Mold from water damage can develop within 24 to 48 hours, so remove wet contents, including carpeting and bedding, as soon as possible.
Rugs, for example, may be dried and then cleaned professionally, the price depending on the size and number. Large pieces of furniture that are saturated will likely be difficult to dry effectively, and should often be discarded.
If you are faced with a significant amount of mold growth, we recommend hiring professional cleaners. Mold is very hazardous when being cleaned because disturbing the mold will cause it to release spores.
Getting back on your feet after a flood can be a time-consuming process and a lot of work. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from those who have dealt with floods in the past. Soon you will look around your home and not even remember the flood.