Experiencing a flood in your home is one of the most stressful things that can happen to you. It might be caused by any number of factors from heavy rain to a burst pipe to a natural disaster. Whatever the root cause, it’s essential you act quickly to ensure everyone’s safety, reduce damage, and protect your home in future.
Here are five essential steps to take if your home floods.
Ensure safety first
Human life is the first priority. Before you do anything else, make sure you and your loved ones are safe from harm. As well as risk of drowning, floodwater poses a number of safety hazards such as hidden sharp debris, electrocution if wires are exposed, and contamination that can cause health problems.
Firstly, keep your family away from affected areas and avoid walking in standing water. If it is safe to do so, turn off the electricity. If the flooding is severe, you may need to leave the house and wait for emergency services to arrive.
Document the damage
Flood repairs are expensive, but if you have a good insurance policy you will hopefully be covered. It’s important that you document any damage, as this evidence will be invaluable when filing insurance claims later on.
Once it is safe to be inside your home, take plenty of clear photos and videos of every affected room, including furniture, appliances, and personal belongings that may be damaged. Compile an inventory of damaged items, with as much detail as you possibly can to speed up the claims process.
Remove standing water
The longer water sits in your home, the more damage it causes. It can lead to mould spreading, wood warping, and structural weakening. Once the area is safe, remove as much standing water as you can, using buckets, mops or pumps to help you. Open doors and windows to improve airflow and use
Open windows and doors for airflow and use dehumidifiers to absorb more moisture. If the flooding is extensive, you may need to call in professionals with heavy duty equipment to extract water and dry the space.
Clean and disinfect
Floodwater often carries mud, bacteria, and other harmful contaminants. After removing water and beginning the drying process, it’s important to clean and disinfect all affected surfaces. Wear protective gear for this part of the process, and use a good disinfectant to clean floors, walls and other hard surfaces. Any porous material that cannot be fully cleaned, such as carpets and insulation, should be disposed of.
Prevent future flooding
Once the flooding is under control, you’ll want to take steps to protect your home from future incidents. This may include:
- Improving drainage around your home by grading soil away from the foundation
- Installing additional gutters and drainpipes to direct rainwater away from the house
- Installing a sump pump if you don’t already have one
- Sealing cracks in your foundation
- Consulting with a trusted professional like Best Buy Waterproofing to reduce flooding risk and protect your basement from future water intrusion
Taking these five essential steps can help you confidently deal with the aftermath of a flood in your home. Remember to take steps to prevent it from happening again.