Floods are incredibly common, and they have a myriad of causes. Unfortunately, even a little bit of water can lead to severe damage. If you would like to know more about flood damage and what you need to do, keep reading.
Determine the Type of Water
Before anything, determine the type of water and the source of the flood. If sudden damage caused the flood, such as a broken water heater, your insurance may cover some of the costs. However, if the flood came from rising groundwater, poor drainage, or overflowing bodies of water, insurance usually won't cover the cost, unless you have national flood insurance.
Likewise, you want to determine the type of water to judge the possible contaminates. Water from a bust pipe or water heater is usually clean, but water from outside may contain contaminants like sewage, industrial runoff, and agricultural runoff.
Protect Yourself
Before going inside the house, make sure to protect yourself. Depending on the type of flood and amount of damage, there may also be electrical issues, which could increase the risk of electrocution. Contaminated water can also make you sick, but even clean water can start to harbor bacteria and disease.
Toss Some Items
Some items that get exposed to flood water need to be tossed. This largely includes foods. You may be able to keep pre-packaged canned foods, but you'll want to remove the label and clean the can. Porous materials and items may also need to be tossed if they can't be easily cleaned. For example, you can easily clean wet clothes in the washing machine, but it may be hard to clean:
Similarly, you'll want to toss anything that should be hygienic like sanitary pads, makeup, toothbrush, etc.
Restore What You Can Fast
Many materials, including some porous materials, can be saved if you work fast. As soon as the water is gone, start the cleanup process. This is important to prevent mold. Mold starts to grow fast on moist surfaces. If left untreated, it can quickly spread. Mold can make your house smell damp and musty, but it can also irritate people with allergies and/or breathing complications like asthma.
Floods are common, and there are ways to restore your home after flood damage. The key is to get started fast before more damage and mold develops. If you would like to know more, contact a water damage restoration company today. For more information on water damage restoration, contact a company near you.
Share