Having your home ravaged by a flood is bad enough, but picking up in the immediate aftermath can leave you wondering if your life will ever be the same again. The level of damage left behind in most cases can be overwhelming and traumatizing to property owners, with dollar amounts running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It’s a foregone conclusion that when flooding becomes a very real threat, you need to leave your home. You gain nothing by staying and may put your life at risk. As nice as your home may be, it isn’t worth dying for. Leave promptly if the evacuation order comes down and head for higher ground.
After the flood waters have receded and the all clear is given by local emergency management (or federal authorities, or whoever may be in charge), you are free to return to your home. Make sure all power and gas to your home are shut off, since water and electricity do not mix at all and leaking gas provides its own share of problems. You also need to verify that the structure is stable……flood waters can literally shift a home on its foundation, making it prone to collapse, so make sure it isn’t going to come down around you before re-entering.
You need to steel yourself for the amount of damage that you are going to find. Floods will not only damage your home and possessions but they will also leave behind a lot of dirt, mud, silt, and other debris that will manage to find its way into every nook and cranny of your home. Don’t be surprised if much of your carpet and furniture will need to be thrown out.
Of course the cleanup process needs to begin as soon as possible following a flood event. Water damage will not get better or improve on its own. You will need to be pro-active in making sure all residual moisture is removed from every surface, and that everything is dried out thoroughly. Wet dry vacuum units or gas powered submersible pumps are helpful for removing water, and fans, blowers, and dehumidifiers are perfect for removing whatever is left.
All loose items such as furniture, appliances, and personal effects will need to be removed elsewhere for cleaning and reconditioning. Documents, books, and artwork may require specialized techniques to be properly dried out and preserved.
Long term problems such as mold frequently occur in homes and businesses in the wake of flooding, and this will require professional treatment. The mold will need to be removed and the affected area properly treated to make sure it does not return.
If all of this sounds like a lot for the average homeowner to be responsible for, don’t worry, it is. That’s where Water Damage Local.com comes in. Water Damage Local.com providers are available 24/7, IICRC certified, and ready to handle even the most severe water or flood damage problems. From water removal and drying, to carpet cleaning and mold remediation, to structural repair and restoration, Water Damage Local.com is your one stop shop for all things water damage.
Flooding doesn’t have to mean the end of your home. Call the professionals at Water Damage Local.com today.
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