flood damage

In addition to being a threat to the safety of your family, water can wreak havoc on your home. Your home and belongings may be seriously damaged by rising water levels outside or a broken water pipe. Fortunately, it is possible for you to minimize the damage by following a few important steps before and after flooding. However, you should always prioritize the safety of your family as well as yours. Read on for a breakdown of the steps you should take after a flood.

Safeguard Your Family From A Flood With The Following Tips

You can protect your home by taking a few important steps, if a huge storm is coming your way, or you live in an area that experiences frequent cases of flooding.

Start With A Plan For Evacuation

You need a comprehensive evacuation plan detailing how you will communicate with each member of your family and predetermined meeting spots in case you are separated, in case you need to evacuate your home swiftly. Go a step further and pack a bag of essentials for each member of the family.

Safeguard Your Valuables

Move valuables to the attic or second floor of your home in order to keep everything safe.

Relocate Your Furnace/Water Heater

Your furnace and water heater should be installed on a riser, where possible. This is probably already done if your home is built on a floodplain.

Install Backwater Valves

You can stop floodwater from making its way into your home by having check water valves installed in your home’s plumbing system.

Create A Record Of All Valuables

Make copies of receipts and take photos of any valuables you might own as a means of documentation if you have flood insurance.

Properly Store Outdoor Furniture

Any belongings that are normally placed outdoors, such as garden hoses, bicycles, and outdoor furniture should be secured inside the house.

Shut Doors And Widows

When you receive the evacuation order, you should be ready to head out. Remember to secure all windows and doors around your house before you leave.

You should be ready to leave with minimal preparation because flooding can happen in a flash. You should be ready to go when you see water levels rising or are ordered to do so by the authorities, for your safety and that of your family.

Follow These Steps After Flooding Occurs

Your home can be significantly damaged by flooding. It can take anywhere from 12 to a few weeks for your home to dry out completely after water levels go down, depending on the methods used, the level of flooding in question, and the size of your home. You can reduce the amount of time it takes for your home to dry out by having a crawlspace dehumidifier. After flooding occurs, follow the steps outlined below.

Step 1: Don’t Return To Your Home Until You Receive An Official Go-Ahead

A dangerous situation can arise from the structural damage caused by flooding. For your safety, as well as that of your family, you don’t want to return to your home before receiving an official order. Any moving water encountered should be treated with caution. 6 inches of moving water is enough to knock you down.

Step 2: Go To The Main Breaker And Switch Off The Power

Electricity and water can be deadly when combined together. Regardless of whether the flood has knocked out the power grid, it is important that you turn off the power at your home’s main breaker, in case it comes back on without your knowledge. When doing this, be sure to position yourself on a dry surface. Any water and gas lines feeding into your home should also be turned off. There might be hidden cracks in the piping leading into your home due to the damage to the house.

Step 3: Photograph Everything

It is important to document the damage occasioned to your home, whether it is as a direct result of flooding or a burst water pipe, even if you don’t have flood insurance. The evidence you collect can come in handy further down the line – for instance, if you want to sue the manufacturer of the pipes in question. A written description is nowhere near as good as a photograph.

Step 4: Enlist Professional Assistance

Day to day, we deal with cases of water and flood damage. As such, we have to find ways of drying out homes as quickly as possible. You need to work with trusted local professionals when it comes to everything from mold remediation to drying, and water extraction.

Step 5: Safeguard Wooden Furniture

To minimize the chances of irreversible damage, it is important to move quickly when addressing any keepsake or expensive wooden furniture. The wood furniture items you wish to save should be moved to a dark and dry place as quickly as possible. Any removable components, such as drawers, should be removed and allowed to dry separately. Before sanding and staining the wooden furniture pieces, be sure to give them enough time to dry completely.

Step 6: Take Stock Of The Damage

Use videos or photographs to capture every aspect of the damage as the clean-up commences. Any visible damage to your home and the serial number of damaged items should be properly and clearly captured. You need to document anything that can be claimed on your insurance.

Step 7: Get In Touch With Your Insurer

You will need to start a claim, if you have flood insurance, or a natural disaster did not cause the water damage. If it’s a natural disaster, your insurance company may be swamped with claims. As such, it pays to get the process started as soon as possible. To increase your chances of getting the maximum payout, your insurance agent can advise you to dispose of or keep specific items.

You need to contact an expert to help you start the flood restoration process when you find your home full of water. Before you start making any repairs, your home must be completely dry. You can prevent mold growth if you dry it quickly. When it comes to getting your home back in shape, we have the necessary equipment and skills. To discuss the restoration process or schedule an appointment, contact us immediately.