A flooded home or office is one of the most devastating things one would ever experience. The flood could be caused by groundwater, a malfunctioning home water system, heavy rains, among other causes. Regardless of the cause, recovering from the flood is a matter of urgency. Here are a few steps that you can take to stop further damage and make the repair easier.
1.Remain Safe
As is the case with any disaster, your first priority after a flood should be your safety. If the flooding is so bad, you might consider leaving the place for some time and only come back when it is safe enough. As you enter the place, ensure to wear protective attire, such as rubber boots and gloves.
Another crucial safety precaution is turning off the power. However, don’t walk through water to reach the fuse box. If there is no other way of getting to it, call a professional.
2. Stop the Water at the Source
Find out where the water is coming from. Unless it’s due to natural causes, seal the source as soon as you can. Once you have stopped the water, you can now proceed to remove the water inside. The method of removal might vary depending on the level of flooding. For instance, if the water is too much, you might consider using buckets or hoses before going in with a wet vacuum.
3. Dry out the Place
Even after successfully removing all the water, everything else will be damp, and you don’t want that. You can use air conditioning to dry the wet areas of the home. Besides, you might consider dehumidifiers, especially for closed spaces such as basements.
4. Call your Insurer
Bouncing back after a flood can be quite expensive. To ease the financial burden, call your insurance company and let them know of the situation. The sooner you call, the sooner they can assess the damages and determine whether to cover the damages.
5. Cleaning Up
Cleaning up after a flood is quite a long process. However, you can always call for a water damage company to handle all the work for you. Professionals are less likely to miss anything.
