How to Get Your Home Back After Dealing With a Flood
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Floods are caused by various reasons like bursting pipes, heavy rains, and sewer backup. Whatever the cause, taking care of the damages as soon as it happens is vital. This blog prepares you for things to do when experiencing floods in order to get your home back to normal. Enjoy!
Consider Safety First
Even with the rush to reform your house back to normal, always ensure to put safety first. A lot of things can go wrong in a house with electricity appliances flooded with water. The first step is to switch off all the power outlets in the house. Do this when wearing protective clothes since electricity and water can cause shock. If by any chance some of your foodstuffs got contaminated by the water, ensure to throw them away to avoid poisoning. Practicing safety measures will help you prevent any further damage as you wait for the next move.
Remove the Water From the House
The moment you realize your house is flooding with water, that is the time to find the source. Stopping the source will help you reduce the level of water coming in. Consider checking all your piping systems; if there is any damage that can be fixed, do it or seek the help of a professional. The next step is to remove the water from the house by using various methods such as buckets or hoses, depending on its level. When the water reduces to a small amount, you can use a vacuum to clear the rest. Lastly, mop the house to dry it and ensure to take the damp carpet and furniture outside.
Dry Out the Remaining Parts of the House
After clearing the water in your house, many things, including equipment, will remain wet. The only way to remove the dampness and excess moisture in the house is by drying. Assuming busting pipes caused the flood in the house, you can choose to take out the appliances to dry through the sun-ray. If possible, run a few fans in different areas of the home. Note that you should avoid using direct heat like a hair dryer since it can damage electrical appliances. If the damage is far too much, it is time to reach out to your home insurance or a restoration company.
Contact the Insurance Company
If you have insured your house against floods, this is the perfect time to call them. The insurance company will check your home and the damages caused so they can help you cover the losses. However, you should know that an insurance company might take a long time to come to your rescue. Therefore make sure to do the above steps first to keep safe and reduce the damages. Also, take photos of the flood and after clearing everything so that you can show the company when they arrive. Such will help showcase the damages caused so they can start working on repairs.
Do a General Cleaning
After removing the water and working with the insurance company, it’s time to clean your house and make it comfortable. In this situation, working with professionals like flood damage restoration in Denver will help you restore your house back to normal. You can also choose to do the cleaning all by yourself, but there are things like removing the insulation and dry walls that only experts can do. Doing the general cleaning will prevent stuff like molds from growing in your house since a wet environment causes them.
Do Repairs to the House and Equipment
The aftermath of a flood will definitely lead to much damage to the house. The best way to ensure all the electric equipment is working well is by hiring a professional electrician. Other things might also be affected, like the wall paint, flooring, and the roof. Doing repairs will ensure all appliances work as they used to.
Conclusion
If you have encountered floods in your home and don’t know the next step to take, the above tips will guide you. Also, many organizations help people who have incurred damages through floods, so make sure to check them out. Don’t forget to always do a regular check on your house piping system in order to prevent them from bursting. A safe home is a happy home!
Guest Contributor: Regina Thomas