What do you do when your house is flooding? Any homeowner knows that floods and water damage can be devastating. Good thing there are a few steps you can take that'll put you on the road to recovery and start making things right again. Here, you'll learn what to do when your house is flooded and how to cope with water damage in your home.
What to do When Your House is Flooding
On the one hand, it's tempting to throw on a pair of galoshes and start shoveling water out the front door or making trips to the basement with towels and mops. But sometimes, that might be the worst thing you can do.
So, what to do when your house is flooding?
First, check the water level in your home and ensure it's not rising. If it is, get out immediately! A flooded home can be hazardous. You could lose power or gas service or have sewage backing up into your home. And if there are any electrical fires or other hazards, it's best to let professionals handle them as quickly as possible.
Next, shut off all electrical power in your house if flooding has occurred from above-ground sources. You should also turn off any gas appliances or pilot lights if flooding has occurred due to broken pipes underground level.
If flooding occurs due to rainwater alone, remove wet items and place them in a clean area as soon as possible.
Related: Busted Water Pipes: What to Do Next?
Why Floods are Dangerous
Floods are hazardous. They can cause various serious problems, including death, injury, loss of valuables and personal belongings, financial burdens due to loss of employment, and more. Though the damage that they could cause can be devastating, with the proper preparations, you can minimize the impact:
Flood Water is Dangerous
Flood water is dangerous – not just because of stagnant water everywhere, but because it carries everything it touches. Bodily fluids, bacteria, parasites, insects, dirt, and other contaminants are part of the floodwater disaster. Flood waters can also contain chemicals used in agriculture or as cleaning products.
Flood water may look clear and clean, but that doesn't mean it's safe to drink or use for other activities like bathing or laundry.
Electrical Shocks are Possible
The safest thing to do during a flood is to avoid electrical wires. Water and electricity are a bad combination and can lead to severe injury or death. Flood water can interact with wires, causing electric shocks that send powerful jolts of electricity through your body. If you come into contact with a wire energized by flooding, you could suffer serious injuries or even die.
Drowning is a Risk
When the water rises, it's essential to know how to stay safe. If you don't know or can't swim, then being unable to escape a flood can be fatal.
If you're in a flooded area, ensure you know what's happening around you and stay clear of any fast-moving waters.
First Step: Double-Check if You Can Go Home Safely
As soon as you're safe, double-check whether or not your home is safe to navigate. If the water is too high to get around, don't try to go back—this will expose you to danger. If it's just a few inches of water, or if you know there's an elevated area you can walk on and avoid the worst, you'll have to make that call yourself.
As far as what happens if you decide to go back? Make sure to wear shoes (no sandals or flip-flops), and bring a flashlight and spare batteries with you—even if it's daytime outside right now, things will change fast as the sun goes down.
Some questions about your home can’t wait. Get the answers you need from an expert handyperson now!
Second Step: Document as Much Damage as Possible
When you're in the middle of a flood, it can be hard to think about anything other than getting out. But if you want to get your life back together and make sure you get your deserved insurance money, you'll want to document as much damage as possible.
Take photos of all the damage and keep them organized so that all your bases are covered when it comes time to file an insurance claim. You'll also want to take photos of all your valuables so that you have something to refer back to replace.
If you've had any items damaged beyond repair, keep them in their original packaging. With that, when an insurance adjuster comes into your home, they can see firsthand what kind of condition everything was in before it got wet. You can also do some home maintenance before repairs are made.
Related: Tips to keep house cool in summer
Third Step: Talk With Your Insurance Company
If you've ever been through a flood, you know it's not always easy to get your insurance company to pay for the damages.
Floods are expensive, but homeowner's and renter's insurance doesn't always cover them. That's why you must talk with your insurance company before a flood happens to ensure you have the right coverage in place. You can also ask your agent if there are any special things they need from you after a flood, like photographs of damaged items or receipts for items like food or clothing ruined in flood. In many cases, this documentation can help speed up the process of getting reimbursed for your losses.
Fourth Step: Ask For Help with Flood Clean-Up
Flood damage can be devastating; understandably, you want to clean up the mess as soon as possible. But when it comes to flood cleanup, professional help is best.
Flood insurance typically covers many aspects of the damage caused by flooding, but it doesn't cover all of it. A professional cleaning company must do some things like moving heavy furniture.
If you try to do it yourself and aren't trained for this kind of work, you could worsen your situation or even spread contaminants throughout your home.
The experts at Mavyn will take care of everything from start to finish—from cleaning out your basement to disposing of hazardous materials.
When it comes to getting your home back in order after a flood, we understand how important it is to have a team of experts on your side. We can help you with everything from drying out your carpets and furniture to removing mold and mildew.
So if you've been affected by flooding, don't wait any longer – Get in touch today!
Fifth Step: Throw Out Damaged Furniture
It's sad that flooding water often damages furniture, walls, and other household items. When your home has been flooded or otherwise damaged by water, it can be hard to tell what items are salvageable and which ones should be thrown away.
Throw out items that have been soaked with water. You should toss anything wet for more than 24 hours in the trash because it cannot be salvaged.
Items like carpets, where mold can grow and cause long-term health problems. Also, clothes with mold, even if you wash them, will still be contaminated with mold spores, which can cause respiratory problems.
Related: Why is My Water Pressure Low?
Bottom Line
Hopefully, now that you're armed with some valuable tips to handle a flooding disaster, you will be able to deal with such emergencies more effectively in the future. Remember that while it seems too late once it starts pouring, the best thing you can do is act quickly to protect your home and belongings by following these steps.
Trying to DIY a home fix or wondering if you need to call in an expert? The Pros at Mavyn can help you make the right decision right from your phone or computer. Chat with an expert now!
Trending articles.
