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What to Do After a Flood


Posted on August 22, 2018



flood
Flood Waters Hermann | Pixabay

Dealing with a flood is both emotionally and physically taxing. In the midst of the chaos, you may not even know where to begin. No matter what type of flood you are dealing with, the first 24 hours are crucial. To ensure the safety of your family and to make the insurance process easier, you will need to follow these necessary steps after a flood.

Stop the Water

When you realize your house is flooding, the first thing you need to do is find the source and do what you can to stop it. For instance, your sump pump should help safeguard your basement against flooding from storms or plumbing leaks. However, if it malfunctions, not only does it stop pumping out water, but it could make the flooding worse.  If this is the reason for your flooding, replace it as soon as possible. Likewise, storm drains operate as the city or neighborhood defense against flooding. However, a clogged drain is basically useless. Call your city and have them clear it out.  Finally, if the flooding is due to a burst pipe, your first step is to turn the water off at the main valve. Once you stop the flow of water, you can seek out ways to repair the plumbing.

Ensure Safety

Typically, when your house floods, it forces you to leave your home or to stay out of a specific area in your home. For instance, if your basement floods you may not have to leave your home but you need to stay away from that area. As such, it is crucial to ensure the safety of you and your family before you leave and when you return.

For example, if you evacuated your home during a storm, it is a good idea to turn all the power off. This will keep you safe as you leave, and protect when you return to inspect the damage. Exposed outlets and wires are dangerous by themselves, but when water is involved, it increases the amount of risk.

Likewise, to help safeguard your family, you should look for visible structural damage such as cracks, loose foundation, and holes. Be sure to check for these items before entering your home. If you suspect there is damage to your water, gas, or sewer lines, then contact the utility companies.

Take Pictures

Before removing water or repairing any damage, take pictures. This simple action allows you to store or copy evidence of the damage digitally. If you do not take pictures before removing water or beginning repairs, then you may not get the full coverage you need.

Protect Your Health

Even if the water in your home is clear, this does not mean it is safe for consumption or use. When examining your home and removing effected possessions, it is wise to protect yourself. This means you should wear waders, waterproof boots, and rubber gloves. Taking this extra precaution ensures that you are not affected by any contaminated water. You also need to make sure you throw out any food that may have come in contact with the flood waters. As an added step in protecting your health, boil your water until the authorities say it is safe to use.

Remove Water

After your insurance company gives you the okay, you can begin the process of removing the water from your home. Your best option is to hire a professional water removal company. You could try to do this on your own. However, to prevent mold and mildew from setting in and spreading, you need to eliminate all the moisture not just what is visible.

At All Brite Professional Cleaning, our professionals assess the location and the amount of water to develop a plan for removing it quickly and efficiently. Most importantly, we possess all the necessary tools and knowledge not just to extract water, but to dry it up completely. If you have flood damage that needs to remove and repaired then call us today at  1-863-382-0042.


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