What to do if your private home floods

House floods can be caused by several things like burst pipes and poor drainage. Even faulty equipment or a damaged foundation can flood your home. While these causes can be prevented, if the flooding is caused by extreme weather conditions, you may have no choice but to evacuate to a safer location.

This article is about the things to do if your home gets flooded.

Safety comes first

You may feel overwhelmed and stressed out if your house is flooded. This can affect your mental health. In this case, you need to breathe first and take the time to calm down. That way you can think clearly about how you are going to approach the problem. Once you are ready, make sure that you prioritize your safety and that power sources are off. Also, be sure to wear protective clothing before starting cleaning and tidying up. The reason is that you are not sure if the flood is already contaminated with hazardous chemicals or other wastes.

Stop the water source

Before you start cleaning, make sure no more water gets into your home. If the flooding is caused by a broken pipe, make sure the water supply to your home is cut. During floods from storms or natural disasters, you may need to install barriers to keep water out.

to clean up

Before cleaning up, be sure to take a photo of the current condition of your home, as this can be valuable evidence to back up your claim with your insurer later. After that, you can remove standing water with buckets or hoses. Also, make sure you don't find any "hidden" water or water that has penetrated the structural voids of your home. After you've removed any standing water, the next thing to do is to dry your property to prevent mold and bacteria from growing. In this case, you can open your windows to dry naturally or use large industrial fans if available. After your home has successfully dried out, check to see if there are any molds that can pose a serious health risk if not treated immediately.

What to do if your home floods

Once dry, it's a good idea to have your home sanitized by professional cleaners. They are in the best position to safely remove mold from your home. They ensure that every surface is cleaned and disinfected to kill any germs, bacteria and fungi that may appear after the flood. You can also minimize your loss by trying to save all the things that you can still save after the flood. All you have to do is dry out your stuff and try to see if it still works as intended. Otherwise, you may already have to assess the worth of things that are already irreplaceable. Aside from your belongings, once you've finished cleaning and tidying up, you can also start restoring and rebuilding your home.

Assess the structure of your home

After cleaning your home, the damage will become more obvious. This is the best time for you to assess the overall structure of your home. Contact utility companies if you discover damage to your water, gas, sewer, or power lines. Remember, only professionals should repair these lines.

Contact your insurer

You should also check with your insurer after your home has been flooded. Remember that your coverage depends on your policy. Remember not to start the renovation until you have properly notified your insurer. Once you get approval, you can already find reliable contractors.

There are several ways to prevent flooding in your home, such as: B. Proper maintenance of your pipes and sewage system and equipment. Another way to prevent an impending home flood is to make sure your home is in top condition. However, these only apply to the things you can control because if the flooding is already being caused by extreme weather disturbances, your safety should be a priority. Only when it is safe for you to return home should you focus on the things you need to do to restore your home.

Leave a comment