Flood Damage? Act Quickly for the Best Results

Flood damage is one of the catastrophes that is nearly impossible to plan for ahead of time. When a storm strikes and your home floods, there is often not much time to gather your belongings and get to a safe area. Most of the time there is significant loss of household goods, but some things can be salvaged if you act quickly and use the right materials.

If your home has been flooded you will need to work quickly to pump the water out and begin the drying process. It is a good idea to wear rubber gloves and boots until the threat of electrical shock has been eliminated. Pumping the water out of your home can be long and tedious, but it is the first thing that must be done in order for the cleanup process to begin.

After the water has been pumped out, you will need to run a dehumidifier to help remove excess moisture. Mold and mildew thrive in warm, damp areas. For this reason you need to get things dried out quickly. Additionally, you should place fans in the area to circulate the air and help things dry out faster.

It is impossible to repair or restore many things that are affected by flood damage. Appliances or other electrical equipment that were submerged in water will likely be more expensive to repair than to replace. Family heirlooms (pictures, etc.) can be dried and a restoration can be attempted. However, during the cleanup process it is important to work fast and be realistic. Unless you are sure an item can be salvaged you should probably just throw it away.

Once you have sorted through your belongings, you should wipe down surfaces with a bleach solution to inhibit the growth of mold. Since mold is hazardous to your health, you need to be extra cautious to ensure that every surface that can be cleaned IS cleaned.

Flood damage is not usually covered by regular homeowner's insurance. Some insurance companies offer a rider, but typically you will need to purchase a policy specifically written for this type of catastrophe. If you do have a flood insurance policy, you should contact the company immediately so that they can send an adjuster to your home to assess the damage and begin the claims process.

While disheartening, flood damage does not have to completely ruin everything affected. Give a few friends a call so that they can come and help, and you will likely be surprised at how quickly the work can be accomplished. Neglecting to properly handle the water and moisture is a recipe for disaster, so do not delay the cleanup process.