Floods become real. With complex weather conditions, even low risk areas are prone to flooding. Hence, every home needs to be well prepared for flooding, especially if you are aware that rain is widespread in your area. Your home can become flooded for three reasons: major water floods, natural disaster floods, and basement floods. Water main flooding occurs when the main line of the water supply system fails due to high air and water pressure caused by severe freezing. Natural disaster floods are the result of heavy rainfall, hurricanes, or mudslides. In the meantime, basement flooding occurs when you have leaky windows, leaking plumbing, or poorly insulated foundations that can burst the pipes in your basement.
Regardless of the type of flood, even if you think you are not living in a floodplain, you still need to take preventative measures to ensure that your home doesn't get any of the three floods. This article provides more information on preventing flooding in your home. However, if you and your home are in the middle of a flood, there are steps you can take to protect your property and prevent further damage. Read below the six things to do if your home is flooded:
1. Safety first
Always remember that safety must come first even when the stress is overwhelming, especially when you find that your furniture and home are soaked with high water levels. It is expected that after your home is flooded, your home and the entire street will also suffer a widespread blackout. Hence, you need to make sure that the electricity in your home is turned off. Do not even try to touch electrical cords, light switches, or plugs as your hands and furniture will be wet. If you are unsure whether your home's power has been turned off, contact your most trusted electrician as soon as possible to deal appropriately with the situation.
2. Dress appropriately
After a successful shutdown, make sure you and your family wear protective clothing before wading through the water. These can be rubber boots and gloves. Remember, you don't just step in plain water. Floods can include trash, chemicals, and even sewage. Floods are poisonous and heavily contaminated. These harmful substances or hazards may not be visible to the naked eye. It is therefore important to wear protective clothing. Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, or face as much as possible, especially if your hands have come into contact with the water. Floods are polluted with bacteria and mold, which can be very harmful to health.
3. Check that your home is structurally secure
In the event of severe flooding, you must first check whether your house is structurally safe before entering. Examine the walls or floors for possible damage or collapses. Check for cracked foundations. If you have seen signs of wear and tear or suspect possible structural damage, contact your utility company immediately. Professionals know better how to deal with damage, especially damage to your electricity, gas or sewer lines.
4. Contact your insurance company
Insurance coverage varies depending on the insurance policy. As soon as you call, the company will send an appraiser to review the damage and see if your losses are covered. Do not start the demolition or repair until the adjuster prompts you to do so. Make sure that you document any damage to your property as part of the insurance company's process.
5. Remove the standing water
Once you have documented and photographed all the required parts of your home including the damage and your insurer has given you a go-ahead, you can proceed with removing the water. You can remove the standing water with buckets or hoses, but this will depend on the amount of water in your home. When the tide is minimal, you can simply mop up the water with towels.
6. Minimize loss
Once it is safe, you can salvage your furniture after the flood. Separate the items that you think can still be restored and dry them out. For those that you can no longer use, it is best to dispose of them properly. Make sure you do this as soon as possible before any mold starts to settle. Mold can grow within 24 hours of the flood. It is therefore recommended to take out the salvageable items to minimize your losses.
The bottom line
In fact, a house flood can be one of the most devastating experiences a homeowner can have. It can range from a little anger to a traumatic situation. Even just looking at the massive loss and destruction of property, you can feel stressed and overwhelmed. Remember, however, that you are not alone. Your friends and family can always help you, along with your trusted contractors who will assist you in every way possible to make sure everything is restored.
