What do you do if your house is submerged? There are many horror stories about waking up to 6 inches of water on the floor.
These are the steps you need to take to save your home and money in case of a flood. These are the next steps you should take in case of flood damage.
Nearly 37% U.S. homeowners say they have suffered water damage. Nearly 14,000 Americans are affected by water disasters each day. This is not a common occurrence.
What are your options if your home floods?
1. Stop water from leaking
Floods that are caused by water can be stopped by turning off or sealing the source. This will prevent water from damaging your property. Sandbags or other solutions are available to stop water from getting into the property if the flood is caused by weather conditions.
2. Switch off the electricity
Once the water source has been shut off, switch off all electrical devices in your home. To reach the fuse box, do not cross water puddles. You should not touch the water if you can’t reach the fuse box. Safety is the most important thing.
3. Safe location
If the water is not being stopped or is in danger, evacuate the area and locate a safe place to make emergency calls. Avoid wet areas, and avoid touching electrical items. If you are affected by a natural disaster, find temporary shelter to provide assistance.
4. For assistance, contact a local restoration company
After you have been safe and are secure, call professionals for help. Call 911 immediately if you need emergency medical assistance. Don’t try to salvage anything from the flooded home. The damage is already done. While items can be repaired or replaced almost every day, they cannot replace your health and life. Remember to be safe and that you can repair and restore your property.
911 Restoration of Central Maryland is a local water damage restoration firm that can help you dry out your home, mitigate the damage, and restore it to its pre-loss condition. You may not need to file an insurance claim for every case. However, you can check with the local restoration company before making any claims.
Landlords: Call Your Landlord
It is a good idea to contact the landlords if you rent the property. The service professionals and landlords will manage the situation and keep you updated.
Homeowners – Consult your service specialists
The service expert will help you navigate the process, including drying out and cleaning up. Your service expert will be able to advise you on the next steps.
5. Documentation
Documentation of the claim is the most important step after you file a claim. 911 Restoration of Central Maryland, a local restoration company, prepares all necessary documentation including reports and photos to be sent to the insurance company.
Documenting the disaster and taking pictures of it is crucial for your insurance claim.
6. Start the water damage restoration process
Property owners often lack the necessary tools and equipment to clean up after a flood. You will need to drain the water and salvage any personal belongings, dry out the area, and disinfect any objects or areas that were touched by the water. To avoid possible contamination, you will need to wear proper safety gear when performing these tasks. You can also refer to the Red Cross for great resources when dealing with floods.
7. Avoid mold growth and other damage
Mold issues can be caused by failure to act within 24 hours of water damage. Mold can be a problem when water damage has occurred to a property. It is important to dry the affected areas thoroughly. This could include removing flooring, drywall, or carpet.
Long-term health effects can be caused by toxic mold and black mold. You can avoid mold problems by keeping affected areas dry and treating any potential problems with strong anti-bacterial cleaners.
Floods can occur at any moment. The only way to avoid flood damage or to catch it in time is to prevent it. The technology has come a long way since the days when we could only monitor our entire water system via our smartphones. This technology will ensure that you never again have to deal with flooding or water damage in your home.