10 Things You Should Do After a House Flood

Have you been dealing with a flooded home? It’s a common occurrence across the United States, and you’re not alone.

Between 2010 and 2021, there were 162 instances of billion-dollar flooding incidents. Rising floodwaters are among the most dangerous property damage risks that exist. This places homeowners at elevated risk.

If you’ve just experienced a house flood that has caused damage to your property, take immediate steps to prevent long-term damage.

Keep reading for a helpful guide that outlines a few key points of what to do in a flood disaster.

1. Call for Professional Restoration and Cleaning Services

After a home flood, it is essential to call professionals to help with the restoration and cleaning process. These services can help dry out the flooded area and mitigate further damage.

Experienced, Water-Damage Certified, and Properly Insured

Trained teams have the knowledge and expertise to protect your family’s safety throughout the flood clean-up process. They can identify potential health or property hazards.

If you are looking for these services, check the Fastprorestoration.com website. Look for a company that recommends proper solutions to prevent future floods.

Be sure they are insured, with general liability and property damage insurance. This ensures that no more damage is incurred. Also, it protects you from liability when something goes wrong during the clean-up.

Offers Any Guarantees or Warranties for Their Work

When looking for restoration services, make sure that they offer any guarantees or warranties for their work. This is important to build trust in the service. It also confirms that the quality of service and job provided should be satisfactory.

Moreover, any warranties for the work further guarantee that the service stands behind its work. Any errors or accidents will be rectified on time.

Has the Best Equipment and Staff for the Job

Discover which company has the most knowledgeable technicians, advanced drying, and dehumidification. Also, consider their sanitation technology and the best customer service.

Consider their teams of experts, resources, and tools. This identifies the most efficient approaches for drying wet areas and restoring your home.

Make sure they offer the latest advancements in cleaning and disinfecting products. This ensures your family is safe from any possible health risks.

Check Reviews From Other Customers

Check reviews from other customers to be sure the company chosen is reliable and highly recommended. Researching customer reviews can tell you if other customers were satisfied with the quality of service provided. Also, they give information about customer service levels, response time to the job, and the cost of the services.

2. Shut Off All Electrical Sources

Start by unplugging all electronics and appliances from their power sources and turn off your main circuit breaker. To be extra cautious, check the junction box to ensure all switches are off.

Turn off the gas line at all the exterior switches and valves to cut the chance of fire and explosion risks. If you’re unable or not qualified to make these changes, contact your local electrician or utility provider to help.

Stay away from any liquid near an electrical source to prevent possible electrocution or further damage. Do not turn on items such as lights, TVs, or other appliances until the area is dry and certified safe by a professional.

3. Take Pictures for Insurance Purposes

Take pictures to document the flood for insurance purposes. Start by capturing pictures of the entire house and its exterior, particularly noting any standing water. Take close-ups of the flood damage to furniture, walls, and any other items that have been affected.

Take pictures of the water meter and any documents that show the water’s level outside the home. Once you have finished taking pictures of the entire area, record a date and time-stamped video of the scene to keep as additional evidence. Be sure to keep the pictures and video in a safe location, such as cloud storage, so that it is easily accessible if needed.

4. Remove Wet Items From the Home

Doing this will help reduce the potential damage to other items in the home. Begin removal from the top floor and work your way to the lower floors.

Move furniture and carpets to a dry area outdoors to avoid the growth of mold or rot. If wooden furniture is saturated, air them out to save what it can.

Wash and salvage plastics or metal items. Also, wash clothing in hot water and dried away from the home to cut further damage. If it is impossible to move, use blocks and tarps to provide ventilation for the items.

5. Protect Yourself From Contamination

It is significant to protect yourself from contamination by wearing protective equipment. Water is one of the most common carriers of disease. By handling objects with bare hands or breathing in contaminated air, you may expose to harmful microorganisms.

Gloves are essential for protection, as water can cause cuts and can aggravate any existing wounds a person has. It also ensures you don’t touch sharp objects, including nails or broken glass. Wear them while you inspect the damage, and afterward, throw them away.

A face mask can protect you from inhaling any substances that may be present in the water or air. It will prevent you from experiencing respiratory issues in the future.

Keep in mind that any clothing item that comes into contact with flood waters may become contaminated. Change this clothing after the inspection and throw it away.

6. Use a Sump Pump

Use a sump pump as soon as possible to reduce the amount of water damage to the home. It works by pumping large volumes of water out of the flooded area and away from the house.

Place the pump into the lowest points of the basement or yard. Connect it to a drainage pipe leading to a safe area away from the home.

It is also vital to check the discharge outlet hose to ensure no blockage is present. Once connected, the pump can be activated and pump out the excess water.

The sump pump is an effective tool for removing standing water from the house, reducing potential damage and increasing the drying time.

7. Monitor the Air Quality

Check the air quality in the home and ventilate it. Do this to drop bacteria and fungi and to reduce the levels of toxins or other hazardous materials. If contaminants are present in the air, they can cause respiratory illnesses, allergies, or other illnesses.

Use a dehumidifier, as this will help to reduce water levels and the number of bacteria and fungi that thrive in humid environments. Also, running a fan and opening windows will help to circulate the air, purifying the air quality.

Use a HEPA air filter to clean the air further and capture any remaining airborne contaminants. With the right monitoring and help, you can reduce any risk of developing health problems due to poor air quality.

8. Repair the Structures

Assess the damage. Consider the size of the flood and the materials affected, such as framing, drywall, and flooring. Temporary sealing, such as plastic sheeting, can repair damaged walls and windows.

Wash walls and ceilings with mild soap and wipe down all furniture, cabinets, and floors. This can help remove any remaining contaminants or water spots.

It is also crucial to check the carpeting, flooring, and furniture upholstery for mold or mildew and treat it. Inspect the repairs for code compliance. Ensure the structures and restore contents to their pre-flood conditions.

9. Disinfect All Items

Flood water can contain several health hazards and contaminate furnishings, clothing, and other personal items. Clean and disinfect each item according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use 1/4 cup of bleach per gallon of water on hard surfaces such as countertops, sinks, and other nonporous areas.

Launder soft surfaces, including couches, mattresses, drapes, and clothing, depending on the type of fabric. Disinfect items that you can’t wash. Do this with a mixture of 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach to 5 gallons of water and allow to air dry.

Dry all items after disinfecting. Disinfecting all items is essential for a safe and healthy home. This prevents infection or further contamination.

10. Contact Your Insurance Company

Document all repair costs and contact your insurance company with this information. This way, you can make a claim and get the help you need to get your home back to normal. The insurance company needs to have full access to all the repair costs so that they can assess the total damages done.

Documenting repair costs entails getting estimates for every repair needed for your home. Be thorough in noting every item and detail that may have been destroyed or damaged.

When calling your insurance company, have the cost estimates handy and any documentation of the damage. With this, you can explain the extent of the damages and make a claim. This allows the insurance company to send a claims adjuster to your house and review the damage and determine the best way to help you with repairs.

Do These Things After a House Flood

After a house flood, ensure safety and security by calling professional restoration services, shutting off all electrical sources, taking pictures, removing wet items, and protecting yourself from contamination. Also, using a sump pump, monitoring the air quality, repairing the structures, and contacting your insurance company.

Take steps now to ensure your family stays safe and your home returns to its prior condition. Healing from a flooded house takes time and patience, but recovery is possible with the correct strategy.

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