“Flood” is one word no homeowner wants to hear. It means immediate mitigation, followed by weeks or months of costly repairs and cleanup. To put is simply, when you experience a flood it can be very overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to know what steps you should take should a flood happen to you! Whether you’re just dealing with a bit of wet carpet or gallons upon gallons of water, here’s what you need to know and do after a flood.
1. Stay Safe
No matter what actions come next, make sure you are doing what’s safe for you and your family. The main concern after a flood is electrocution. If you are in an area where there is any risk at all of electrocution, you need to safely get out of that area. There other safety risk you should be concerned with is an unstable home. Water can weaken structures to the point of collapsing.
If either of these situations arise, make sure you get out safely. If you can, turn off the power to avoid electric shock. You should also look for holes, cracks, or warped walls, ceilings, or floors/foundation.
Lastly, if you can get to your water main and turn it off, doing so could help eliminate further damage.
2. Document Damage
Once the dust, or water, has settled a bit, you want to start documenting all of the damage. Don’t do any cleanup until you have taken a few photos of videos. This is going to be an important step when it comes to your insurance coverage or any help you may get for cleanup.
3. Staying Safe Cont.
You can’t be sure what is in the water that has fill your home, so make sure you keep yourself safe while addressing the issue by wearing protective gear. This includes waders or very high waterproof boots. You should also wear rubber gloves too. Even if your food seems to have made it through unscathed, it’s best to throw it out if it has come in contact with the flood water. It’s also wise to boil your drinking water until it has been deemed safe to drink.
4. Contact Insurance
The next step you should take after going through a flood is to contact your insurance company. You will need to work with them to discuss the cause of the flood and what your coverage will be. Let them know what needs to be taken care of immediately, or what you plan to fix immediately. Follow protocol when it comes to an adjuster’s inspection.
5. Cleanup
Once you’ve been given the go-ahead by your insurance company, it’s time to start cleaning up. If you’re dealing with large amounts of water and damage, it’s wise to get help from professionals.
RestoreMasters of years of experience in mitigation, cleanup and restoration. Aside from cleanup, you also need to be proactive and mindful about mold! You’ll have enough to deal with after a flood without having to worry about all of that too. Get professional help and contact RestoreMasters after you’ve been in a flood.