5 Steps To Take After A Flood In Your Home
Nature can be relentless at times. If a torrential downpour has caused flooding, wreaking havoc in your home, there are some things you can do to help the situation and to ease your stress level. Other things that could cause flooding include pipes bursting, sewer backup, and a faulty sump pump. If flooding has or is currently affecting your home, these steps should help you to get your home back in order more quickly.
Be Safe
If you have to leave your home, do so. You can deal with the aftermath later. If you can, turn off the power, but make sure to wear protective gear when doing so. Water and electricity aren’t friends. If the water was high enough to affect any food, make sure it gets thrown out. When you have the chance, wash all cutlery, plates and glasses that came into contact with flood water.
Stopping and Removing Water
If you can, stopping the source of flooding water is the first order of business. Replace a broken or faulty sump pump and clear away any debris that may have gathered in drains. Call a plumber right away to repair any burst pipes. A call to a company that provides emergency cleaning service would be also be wise. They have the ways and means of removing the water and efficiently cleaning up the mess.
Dry Out Time
Even if all the water has been removed, the wetness and dampness will remain. If the power is on, fans and air conditioning will help dry everything out. Dehumidifiers are also great for this purpose. The important thing is to try to remove any humidity which can aggravate matters, especially if the climate is normally damp.
Call Your Insurance Company
Individual coverage will vary, but most insurance policies cover flooding by storms, broken pipes or sump pumps. An adjuster will likely come out to look at the damage and ascertain whether any losses are covered. You should also take your own photos of the damages, just to be on the safe side.
After Flood Care
Calling in an emergency cleaning service crew will likely save you a lot of time, effort, and grief. They will be able to help you to determine what is too damaged to keep and what can be salvaged. They will also be able to help in preventing or cleaning up mold, which can start to develop pretty quickly after a flood.