Ever wonder what to do after a house flood? Lighting. Thunder. Water. Every homeowner’s worst nightmare. You walk into your home on a wet carpet. Your electronics are destroyed. Your furniture is soaking wet. Luckily your animals were able to make it to the high ground on the bookshelf. Wondering what to do next? Stay tuned and read ahead to figure out what to do next after your home floods.
A flood can be a devastating event, leaving your home and belongings damaged and covered in water. If you have suffered a flood, it is important to take the necessary steps to begin restoring your home. This guide will walk you through the process of what to do after a house flood, including how to contact your insurance company and get started on water damage restoration.
The first steps after a flood:
The first step after a flood is to call a carpet cleaning company that offers emergency services. If it’s late you’ll need a 24-hour emergency service provider.
The second step is to contact your insurance company. Your insurance policy may cover flood damage, and they will be able to help you begin the claims process.
Once you have contacted your insurance company and the carpet cleaners, they can start the process of water damage restoration.
This may involve hiring a professional water damage restoration company, or you may be able to do some of the work yourself.
If you are doing the water damage restoration yourself:
there are a few things you need to do in order to get started. First, you need to remove all of the water from your home. This can be done with a wet/dry vacuum or by mopping up as much water as possible. Once all of the water has been removed, you need to start drying out your home. This can be done with fans and dehumidifiers.
After you have removed the water and started drying out your home, you need to start cleaning and disinfecting all of the surfaces in your home. This is important to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Once all of the surfaces have been cleaned, you need to begin repairing any damage that has been done. This may involve drywall repair, painting, or other repairs as needed.
floodwaters can bring all sorts of toxins and bacteria into your home so it is important to take the necessary steps to clean and disinfect everything well. You should also throw away anything that has been damaged beyond repair as it could pose a health hazard. Once you have taken care of the immediate cleanup, you can begin repairs and restoration. This may be a daunting task, but with the help of a professional water damage restoration company, you can get your home back to normal in no time. So don’t delay, call a water damage restoration company today!
We highly advise calling a professional as this work is very specialized.
If you are hiring a professional contractor they’ll begin the next phases:
1) The assessment phase:
Your house has flooded. Now what? The first thing you need after calling the carpet cleaning and restoration company is to do is call your insurance company. They will send an adjuster out to assess the damage and determine if your policy covers the cost of repairs.
2) The water extraction phase:
Once you have chosen a contractor, they will begin the process of water extraction. This involves using special pumps and vacuums to remove the water from your home.
3) The drying phase:
Once all the water has been removed, they will use large fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the remaining moisture in the air and on surfaces.
We use various specialized equipment such as moisture cameras and moisture meters to keep track of how well the walls, beams, and support structures are drying.
This step can take anywhere from 2-7 days. In that time your insurance company may be able to provide a temporary place to stay such as a hotel that may be covered under your policy.
4) The final cleanup and repair phases:
The last step is cleanup and repair. This may involve anything from replacing drywall to repairing flooring. The carpet cleaning company will either do this part of the job themselves or have a company on hand to handle this stage. They’ll begin to restore the damaged drywall and any parts that needed to be removed because of the water damage. Depending on the extent of the damage, this process can take weeks or even months to complete. But once it’s finished, you’ll be able to enjoy your home again – and hopefully never have to go through a flood again!
Don’t worry too much!
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having a flooded home, don’t despair. By following these steps, you can get your home back to normal in no time. And if you have any questions along the way, be sure to ask your insurance company or contractor for help. They’ll be happy to assist you in getting your home dry and livable again.
Be advised about the many flood damage dangers:
Bacteria mold, and toxins:
Floodwaters can bring all sorts of toxins and bacteria into your home so it is important to let the professionals take the necessary steps to clean and disinfect everything well. Mold can be especially dangerous as it can get in your lungs if not handled properly. The carpet cleaning company or contractors will have specialized suits and masks to handle any potential mold risks.
Raw sewage and human waste:
If there is raw sewage or human waste involved, it is important to take extra safety precautions. If the flooding is just from broken pipes, you will still need to clean and disinfect everything that was affected by the water. Raw sewage can be extremely dangerous and get you sick if not cleaned properly by a professional. Don’t take any chances by yourself. Losing your health or getting sick is not worth it.
Electrical hazards:
Check for broken pipes and electrical hazards. If you see any waterlogged electrical outlets or appliances, do not try to use them. You could be shocked and that can be deadly. Call a professional to help you safely restore power to your home.
Items beyond repair:
You should also throw away anything that has been damaged beyond repair as it could pose a health hazard. Keep a special eye out for batteries with water damage. The best option is to allow the professionals to handle anything that could be a potential health hazard or cause acidic burns.
Enjoy your home again after the house flood!
Once they have taken care of the immediate cleanup, you can begin repairs and restoration. This may be a daunting task, but with the help of a professional water damage restoration company, you can get your home back to normal in no time. So don’t delay, call a water damage restoration company today!
I hope this guide was helpful in understanding what to do after a house flood. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me. I am always happy to help! Thank you for reading.
More carpet cleaning and house flood restoration reading:
Read all about the Flood Cleanup Process
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