Steps to Take After a Flood Happens in Your Home
Unfortunately, household flooding is relatively common. Flooding can occur simply after heavy rainfall or as a result of routine issues like sewage accumulation or broken pipes. If you come home to flood damage, you may wonder what steps to take first. Don’t panic! Review the following steps to ensure the safety of yourself and your home:
Take the necessary precautions
If you come home to a flood or suspect flooding in another area of the house while you are home, you should first consider evacuating the premises; if any electrical lines have been affected, you could be in danger. If it is safe to do so, turn off the electricity. When entering a flooded area, always make sure to wear appropriate protective gear (mask, sealed gloves and/or boots made out of rubber). The flood water might be contaminated by sewage or other harmful chemicals. Clear out any food that could have come into contact with the flood water and put all kitchenware aside for thorough cleaning.
Identify the problem
If possible, you’ll want to find the root cause of the flooding to halt the flow of water. If a pipe appears to have burst or you suspect a problem with the sewage, call for a plumber immediately to address the underlying issue. Fixing the issue as quickly as possible will help reduce the overall damage, costs, and hassle!
Remove water if you can
If the water doesn’t appear to be contaminated, you can start to clear it out yourself using buckets or a wet vacuum. This will help to reduce the amount of time that your carpets, rugs, flooring, or walls are exposed to water. Note that you will need to call for professional help if there is any concern about chemicals or sewage in the water.
Call your insurance company
Your insurance coverage for the incident will depend on your plan, but most insurance policies will provide financial assistance for unexpected or routine events, including storm flooding, city-sewage back-up, and broken pipes that burst. You’ll need to make an appointment with an insurance representative, who will evaluate any damage and provide information about the resulting coverage. It may take days—or even weeks—for this evaluation to take place, so make sure as you begin the cleanup process that you document all the details of the damage. Take photos throughout the entire cleanup process!
Address the damage
Post-flood cleanup is time-consuming and complex, so it’s best to consult professionals to help with this step. Flood damage repair professionals offer a range of services, including carpet, tile, and upholstery cleaning. The advantage of hiring a company for these services is that you can be sure your home will be safely and thoroughly cleared; professionals use state-of-the-art equipment and proven techniques to restore problem areas. Dangerous mold can begin growing immediately after a flood occurs, especially if the area is not dried right away, and professionals will be able to assess the mold type and severity right away (and take immediate steps to thoroughly remove it).