You never expect your home to flood, but it’s important to be prepared in the event that it does happen. Here are a few things to keep in mind for the first day or two after a home flood.
First, turning off all electrical and water services to the home. While a flood may be accompanied by power loss, it’s important to turn off all breakers and fuses to prevent electrocution in the case someone is inspecting the basement when power is restored. When investigating damaged areas, waterproof boots and clothing should be worn in case the water is contaminated. Even clear water could contain chemicals and may not be safe when exposed to your skin.
As soon as possible, and before making any repairs yourself, fully document the damage by taking pictures and videos and contact your insurance company to understand your policy coverage and next steps.
The causes of your flooding may be numerous, from a sewer backup, or extreme weather, to a broken sump pump or a burst pipe. In the latter two cases, fixing the problem yourself may be possible, or you could arrange a contractor to make the repair on short notice. Water can be removed in a variety of ways, such as bailing out large amounts of water manually with buckets, or using a hose to drain. Smaller amounts of water can be sucked up with a wet vacuum. When water is removed, your home’s air conditioner, portable fans, and dehumidifiers can help to remove the humidity that was added to your home.
Before completing repairs to walls and carpets, professionals should be contacted to look for mold growth, which could happen depending on the time that has passed since the flood.
Experiencing a flood in your home is never a pleasant experience, but with a quick and pragmatic approach, damage and inconvenience can be limited.
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