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We never really get a handbook that tells us what to do during the worst moments of our lives.
Living through a flood can be devastating to anyone.
Here are some quick tips for how to get through it safely and sanely.
When your home or business floods, it’s hard not to react emotionally. You want to break down the door and save everything, but it’s critical that you listen to local authorities.
Go in when they say it’s safe and not a moment sooner. Overall, you should avoid flood waters. They can be full of sewage, dangerous contaminants, and can cause infections and illnesses.
A lot can happen between the last time you left and when you return after a flood. You want to make sure your home is cleared by an electrician because when appliances flood, they can be a fire hazard.
Do not use any appliances, heating, or sewage before a professional deems it safe to do so. And if your power was not turned off before the flood, you must wait until a professional electrician clears it.
One of the most important things to do is to make sure the building is structurally sound. Look out for dangerous debris as you scan for any concave walls, cracks, or holes.
Until your property is entirely drained of water, avoid heating it to above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Document all the damage. This is very important for insurance purposes. Talk to your insurance company as quickly as possible. Any important documents you have that may have gotten water-damaged should be frozen for preservation.
You should consider safety first when equipping yourself with the right cleanup gear to start your flood repairs. Gloves, masks, protective eye-wear, buckets, mops, detergents, trash bags and large plastic containers to hold damaged items are all essential.
Where does flood water go? Well, it’s important to drain it slowly. Flood waters will keep the surrounding grounds soaked for a while, so it’s best to go slowly or you could do even more damage. You can use pumps or consult a professional service to help you.
Remove all dirt and soaked items from your home. Besides clothing that can be washed and some furniture frames that can be reclaimed, you’ll find not much can be kept.
Make sure everything is totally clean before you start the drying process. You can also hire help with dehumidification.
Dry your carpets as quickly as you can (within a couple of days.) Wooden furniture can be dried out slowly but upholstered furniture should be seen to by a professional.
If you’ve got undamaged canned foods, you should wash and disinfect them but you can ultimately keep them. Dispose of any and all medicine or food that’s come in contact with flood waters.
Unfortunately, most items are going to need to be thrown away. Anything made of fabric, drywall, insulation, and anything made of particle board should be disposed of. Metal and plastic items should be examined t on a case by case basis.
If you don’t act fast, mold can be a sad after-effect of flooding. The best way to fully and thoroughly rid your space of mold is to call a team of professionals to perform a mold remediation.
Dealing with the aftermath of a flood can feel overwhelming. But if you take it step by step and know what to do after a flood, it’ll be a bit easier. And if you need any help, we’re here for whatever you need.
