Dealing With The Aftermath Of Flooding
Unseen by the naked eyes is an intruder that no one hopes to have to deal with in their home: mold. Unfortunately, it is also something that most homeowners or renters do not think about until it happens, and in some cases, it will have become a full-fledged problem that will be very costly to repair. If serious water damage can occur from something as minor as spilled water that is not cleaned up properly, then what would happen if there is a flood in your home that is caused by a leaking sink, faulty plumbing, or worse, a storm?
Local TV and radio stations will broadcast warnings over the airwaves, so take heed! Time is of the essence in this situation, and if you have the time, you need to do what you can to salvage as much of your belongings as quickly as possible. Everyone should have an emergency kit that should include some first-aid medical supplies, a flashlight, a few days’ worth of clothing for everyone in the family, important paperwork and documents, contact information of your family, friends, and insurance company, and food. In the meantime, you can prop up your furniture onto cinder blocks or other big, stackable items that are water-resistant so that the floodwater might not damage them. If you have two or more stories, carry what you can upstairs where the water might not reach.
What to do after the storm is over
After the storm is over and officials give the okay to return home, you will need to assess the damage that has been done. If there is minor flooding, the damage won’t be as bad, and you might be able to save most of your belongings. First, you will need to remove any standing water in your home. With buckets and a broom, get the floors as dry as possible. Remove any and all furniture outside so they can dry and so they don’t contaminate your dry belongings. Floodwaters can sometimes bring in sewage water, which contains toxins, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants, and until you can determine that this water did not come into your home, you must get any wet furniture outside.Then you will need to call a local water damage restoration company as soon as possible.
While you are waiting for the restoration company to arrive, you need to reduce the amount of moisture and humidity in your home as much as possible. Plug in dehumidifiers, turn on fans and air conditioners, open up your windows, and wipe down the walls and floors to help eliminate this excess moisture. The restoration team will have all the right equipment to restore your home to its previous condition. Whether your floor is covered with carpet or has hardwood flooring, they have a machine that acts like a vacuum and will suck every last bit of moisture from it. Walls will also be dried and treated so mold will not grow.
