We’ve all heard it before many times; a family member or loved one comes back from vacation only to discover that their basement is full of water because of a flood or their home has flooded due to a burst or leaked water pipe. In the end, water can enter your house in numerous surprising ways. However, while water isn’t a nuisance itself, it undoubtedly leaves behind the challenging and time-consuming task of dealing with the damage it caused. Not to mention, if left unattended, water damage can spread throughout your house, weakening its foundation, causing mold and mildew, and many health-related issues. Mold and mildew development can start as early as twenty-four hours after the flood.
That said, the first thing to do here is to get to the water damage’s root cause and stop it. For example, if you know a particular water pipe leaks, you need to close the shut-off valve. However, if your home experienced a natural disaster, you can’t do much. But what you do after the natural disaster has passed is of the utmost importance. So, that being said, let us look at a few immediate steps you should take after your home gets flooded. So, without further ado, some of these ways are listed below.
Hire A Professional Flood Damage Repair Company
Water damage can happen without giving off any warning signs. After all, you won’t be able to control when a water pipe bursts out of nowhere or a natural disaster strikes. However, suppose you don’t take quick steps to handle and manage damage left behind by leaking water pipes or the flood. You will offer bacteria and mold and a thriving environment to get out of control in such a case. However, the best possible course of action here is to contact your local flood damage repair company.
For instance, if your house is located in a flood-prone area, you can go online and search for flood damage help to hire a professional flood damage repair service. Because, in the end, not everyone has the knowledge or the tools to tackle water damage. So, hiring a professional will be your best bet!
Search For Mold
The next post-flood step is to identify flooded areas for mold and mildew growth. As stated before, mildew and mold can grow within 24 hours of a flood. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to search each corner of your house for bacterial growth. However, if you discover mildew or mold in particular flood-affected areas, consider proceeding with caution as a few types of mold and mildew can prove toxic to human health.
That said, for mold, cut out and wrap up the affected materials and throw them away. On the other hand, call a professional to avoid contamination, especially if mold growth has gotten out of control. That said, don’t forget that mold and mildew can grow in hidden areas like insulation and inside of walls and flooring. So, consider this repair an ongoing process.
Dry The Flooded Areas
It is crucial to remove moisture from your home before severe physical damage occurs to the individuals inside it. You don’t need to worry about insignificant water leaks as air will work its magic and dry the water-damaged areas. That said, to speed up the drying process, consider installing fans in the flooded areas.
However, consider purchasing an industrial-grade dehumidifier to remove moisture from more severe water-ridden areas like wood, carpets, etc. In the end, it is all about purging out moisture from the flooded areas to prevent further damage from occurring.
Focus Your Attention On Your Flooring
Flooring affected by flood damage is more prone to sag and cave in due to gravity. So, it is advisable to repair your flooring ASAP as it is a disaster just waiting to happen. If your flooring was damaged because of flooding in the basement, you must find the source of the leak that may be hiding in plain sight.
Furthermore, ensure that flooding didn’t result in damage to your homes’ beams and foundation work. However, if you can’t identify the source of the leak on your own, consider hiring professional floor repair services.
Get In Touch With Your Insurance Company
Depending on the severity of the damage, a flood damage repair project will typically cost you thousands of dollars. Numerous factors are involved, from hiring professional services to buying new household items to everything in between. Therefore, financing a flood damage repair project from your wallet will end up leaving a burning hole in your pocket.
However, if you have homeowner’s insurance, now is the time to get in touch with your insurance provider. In the end, they will fund around 50-60 percent of your flood damage repair project, depending on the type of insurance type you have.
Conclusion
No matter how your home was flooded in the first place, consider following the steps mentioned in this article to make your home as safe and secure as possible for yourself and your family. In the end, taking preventative measures will lower the chances of catastrophic damages down the line, which will end up saving you a lot of money and headaches in the long run.
