Inclement weather, natural disasters, or home water system failures can wreak havoc on your home because of flooding. If you are dealing with the impact of a flood in your home, you need to know what steps to take to protect yourself and begin recovery.
Read on for seven steps to take after a flood in your home. Each step is of high importance, and time is of the essence.
1. Prevent Further Risk
Your first concern when moving forward after a flood is to keep yourself and your family safe.
Even if your home is in an area where flooding has ceased, check with local authorities to ensure that it is safe to go back home.
Upon returning home, ensure that electricity is off. Turning off the power is especially important when standing water is in the home.
Be aware that floodwaters may have also caused damage to floors and ceilings. Inspect your home as you cautiously enter, checking for any signs of unstable roofs, cracks, or warping in ceilings and your flooring.
Often, after natural disasters, there is a risk of water contamination. Check with authorities to ensure water is safe to use or drink before doing so.
2. Consult Your Insurance Company
Immediately contacting your insurance company following flood damage is crucial. Typical home insurance policies do not cover flood damage, but if you have a flood insurance policy, this may help you save money with the repairs of your home.
Share reports with your insurance agent of damage to the home or essential repairs.
Take as many photos as you can to document all damage. Do this before you move or begin repairing anything. Capturing pictures before removing debris will ensure that you do not affect your insurance coverage.
3. Call a Professional Restoration Company
It can feel overwhelming to think about all the clean-up and repairs needed in your flooded home.
Thankfully, there are professional restoration companies that can take much of the burden off of your shoulders.
Reach out to a reputable restoration company in your area to discuss the damage, any clean-up needed, and repairs required.
1d Remedy has 24/7 restoration services to come to your care after an emergency.
4. Begin Clean Up
After your area and home are determined to be safe, you can begin to clean up your property.
Clean-up should begin between 24-48 hours after your home is deemed safe. This is because mold starts growing in 24 hours where there is moisture.
Don’t do all the clean-up on your own. Having a company to help remove debris will save time and the possibility of saving more of your belongings.
If you need to begin this work on your own, make sure to use protective gear such as masks, boots, and gloves. Start by extracting personal belongings and using tools to remove wet carpeting.
5. Clear Water
Once debris and belongings are out of the home, you need to dry everything inside your home. Start by opening up all windows and doors to provide the most airflow possible.
Using a sump pump and a wet vac, begin extracting water from your home. The faster this is done, the better off your home will be.
After removing the standing water, you can take additional measures to dry your home. For example, if it is safe to turn the power on, you can utilize a dehumidifier and the air conditioner to aid the drying process.
You can purchase a humidity meter to ensure moisture levels do not create an environment for mold to grow.
A restoration company will have all the tools and resources to handle this process for you, saving you time and money.
6. Assess Mold Damage
Since mold grows at high speeds, you need to act swiftly to mitigate growing mold. For small areas of the home, you may use soap and bleach to clean. However, this may not be sufficient.
For larger areas or to ensure all mold has is removed, it is best to bring in a mold mitigation specialist. Restoration companies work within the correct safety precautions to remove mold and prevent it from growing due to the flood.
7. Secure and Repair the Property
With a clear picture of the following steps after residential flood damage, you can begin planning to repair your home. It is also your responsibility to secure your home if doors, windows, or the roof are damaged.
If you had an inspection of your property, you should have a report of necessary repairs.
Once your insurance company has given you the green light to begin repairs, work with reliable contractors to begin construction. Repairs will begin after everything is dry, mold cleared, and debris removed.
Repairs needed could be roofing, flooring, drywall removal and repair, and more. Sharing your inspection report will help your contractors know what work is required to give you a more accurate estimate.
Depending on the extent of the damage, repairs could take weeks or months. Therefore, you will likely need to make plans to stay elsewhere until the work is complete.
Ensure Smooth Recovery After a Flood
Flooding can happen anytime, whether through a storm or a water system failure. Therefore, it is essential to know how to recover your home and belongings after a flood while keeping your family safe.
If you are not sure who to call after facing the effects of flooding on your home, reach out to us at 1d Remedy, who are ready to help. With our expertise in this industry, we will make sure to care for you and your home from beginning to end.
