Wrecking floods are no new nor surprising stories nowadays. But what is actually scary is when your property becomes a victim and is on the news.
So the question comes: what should you do after the flood damage? How can you restore the damage caused to our home and belongings?
It will feel immensely devastating for sure. But by following these flood damage restoration tips, you can rebuild your property, repair the damage, and live pleasantly once again!
Before The Flooding
They say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
1. Make An Emergency Kit
Prepare an emergency kit that has items like, first aid, water bottles, non-perishable food, torchlight, and a battery-operated radio.
2. Flood Insurance
If you are located in a flood-prone area then don’t forget to invest in flood insurance to save your home investments.
3. Family Communication Plan
Create a family communication plan. So during such emergencies, you and your loved ones can stay connected if you aren’t together at a particular time.
During The Flooding
4. Turn off, Disconnect, And Unplug All Electronic Devices/Power
You should turn off the main power supply in your home as the water starts filling up. If your house has been badly affected by flooding, electrocution becomes a dangerous threat if the power is on.
Even if you remove water, bear in mind that virtually all submerged electrical devices or appliances are already spoilt. Never try linking them back to the power supply and try to turn them on before you receive a positive signal from a licensed electrician.
5. Remove Flood Water
There are a variety of ways to drain floodwater from your property. Avoid reverse or overflows of floodwater. But before anything else, remember the floodwater is contaminated, so make sure you wear safety gear.
Simple ways to remove flood water are:
- Clear Drainage Areas
If there’s surface water on the ground, make way for it to flow away from your house and into the local drainage systems. Further, this water contains leaves, gravel, and trash and which chokes up the gutters down the street. So clear out the debris from them to let the smooth flow of water inside the drainage system. - Getting Your House Dried Out
The process of drying out the house continues after all the flood water has been sucked out, bailed out, and mopped up. - Find Areas of Trapped Mud or Water
There are spaces in your home where dirt or water gets stuck. Be vigilant in locating certain areas and getting rid of mud and water.
6. Dry Out
When the floodwaters are washed off and the affected areas cleaned properly, it is time to dry them. This should be as thorough as the cleaning process. Plus, you should work promptly to avoid moisture-related issues in your houses, such as rotting and mold formation.
7. Contact Your Insurance Company
As soon as a flood occurs at home, call the insurance agent for advice about how to continue with cleaning and restoration. Most insurance companies advise first to hire professional water damage restoration services and then start the process of filling for insurance.
8. Prevent Mold Growth
The build-up of mold is one of the worst effects of floods. Take notice that mold and mildew enjoy moist areas and grow very rapidly, within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure. If not treated fast enough, they can pose significant health threats to your family.
9. Remove Wet Items
Get rid of some wet items that haven’t dried for two days.
10. Disinfect Remaining Areas
Flood water contains lots of bacteria and other allergens that cause health issues. It also stimulates mold growth, making it necessary to sanitize the affected area immediately. Clear out the contaminated materials to begin the reconstruction process.
11. Throw Away Unnecessary Items
Throw away all the medicines, cosmetics, foods, even canned goods, if they have been in contact with floodwater.
After The Flooding
12. Call Professionals
While flood damage is very stressful for homeowners, you can restore your home to normal by contacting professional water damage restoration technicians.
By And Large: Flood Damage Restoration
Flooding is an important issue that thousands of homeowners struggle with every year. It causes significant problems within your home, which if not fixed quickly, can lead to expensive repairs.
Every water damage situation in walls or in the house is unique and requires a unique solution, but the common most process stays the same. The tips listed above elaborate our process for the typical water damage emergency.
However, the fastest way to restore your home like the pre-flooding phase is by hiring flood damage restoration experts.
