When one thinks of their home flooding, it’s most often associated with a catastrophic hurricane or torrential rain. Flooding can come from pipes bursting or sewer back-up as well. Regardless of how it happened, you need to know what to do after your house floods. Knowing what to do will eliminate excess damage and make the process of repair quicker and easier. Below are six things you should do after your house floods.
Safety First
The most important step in a flooding disaster is to make sure everyone is safe. If the damage and flooding are bad enough, you’ll have to leave your home for a period of time. When you can come to your home again, you’ll want to ensure that the electricity is turned off. Wear protective gear such as rubber boots, gloves, and a face mask. These are crucial steps for maintaining safety as you don’t know what’s in the water and want to protect yourself.
Another obvious statement that bears mentioning is to not eat or drink anything in your home that’s been close to any water. The water may have risen high enough to damage items in your fridge and pantry, exposing the items to bacteria that could be lurking in the water. Before using them again, you must wash and sanitize any dishes, cups, and silverware.
Stop and Remove the Water
If your home took on water from something not caused by Mother Nature, like a burst pipe or sump pump overflowing or whatever it may be, it’s important to find the source and stop it. If your home has a burst pipe, immediately shut your water off and call a professional. Something small gone array in your plumbing system can cause extensive damage. It’s worth having a professional come out to take a look. They can even make recommendations for other pipes to avoid future headaches. Sump pumps can be the first line of defense against flooding but can also cause a massive headache if they malfunction. If it’s been damaged, it’s best to replace or repair it as quickly as possible to avoid further damage.
Once everything has been turned off, it’s time to get rid of the water that’s in your home. Depending on the water damage, you can go about it in a few ways. You can use a Shop-Vac, sump pump, dehumidifier, or a big fan. Take a look here for more helpful options.
The Drying Process
Once you have properly removed the water from your home, you’ll still want to dry any damp and wet areas. If you have power, use your air conditioning and as many portable fans as possible to dry out your house.
A dehumidifier can be incredibly helpful with closed-off areas in your home by removing the extra moisture from the air. This is one of the most effective ways to dry your home and lessen water damage.
Give the Insurance Company a Call
It’s crucial to call your home insurance company to see what your policy will cover after your house floods. Homeowners insurance policies don’t typically cover flooding, just some water damage. You would need a separate flood insurance policy to keep you covered completely. At TGS Insurance, we can help you purchase a flood insurance policy and shop your homeowners insurance around with a provider that will protect your home from unexpected events. Our team will ensure you have the most protection for the best rate possible.
Once you’ve contacted your insurance company, they’ll send out an adjuster to assess the damage. They will then decide if it’s a “covered loss” under your homeowners insurance policy. If your losses are covered, the insurance company will help you through the claims process and restore your home. The cost to repair flood damage can be pricey, but if you’ve got coverage from your homeowners policy, it will help you out. If you don’t, some companies will offer payment plans to help.
Cleaning Time
Once you’ve called the insurance company and started the process of drying up the damaged areas, it’s time to start cleaning up. You’ll need to decide what can be salvaged and what ultimately needs to be thrown away or repaired. Depending on the damage, you may have to remove flooring, drywall, and/or insulation to stop mold and mildew from growing. You’ll also have to inspect your furniture and throw out what you can’t fix.
If you find mold and mildew, it’s not a problem you want to ignore or deal with later. Go ahead and call a professional to guarantee that it gets removed correctly so you don’t have to deal with it again. Mold can start to develop within the first 24 hours after a flood and can be incredibly difficult to remove once it’s started growing. The faster you can clean your house, the less likely you’ll have to deal with mold and mildew.
Recovery and Repair After Your House Floods
The road back from flood damage can be lengthy and requires a lot of hard work and repairs. Not only could your furniture or flooring be damaged, but your windows, cabinets, walls, and anything the water came into contact with could be impacted. It can be stressful to deal with the damage after a flood, but there are people you can call on to help. Water damage restoration contractors are a great way to get your home back to normal with the help of professionals who will get the job done right.
Your after your house floods, it can be a traumatic and stressful event, but knowing what to do beforehand can make all the difference. It’s important to take all the necessary steps to prevent your home from flooding by regularly inspecting your pipes, paying attention to water spots, and making sure your home’s equipment is operating normally. But you can’t prepare for everything, and that’s where TGS Insurance comes in. We’ll ensure your homeowners insurance policy will protect you and your home in any water-related event and help you get your life back together as quickly as possible.