How to Respond When Your House Floods
A flood can be one of the most stressful situations you’ll ever encounter in your home or business. Not only can flood damage wreck your property, it also takes a major toll on your sanity. It doesn’t matter whether the moisture is characterized by a few inches or several feet, knowing how to respond in the moment is challenging. FloodSERV is here to help with a few tips on how to respond when your house floods.
Flood Damage Response Tips
Most homeowners do not consider the possibility of a flood until it happens. To make matters worse, flooding can result from any number of causes, such as a burst or broken pipe, sewage overflow, natural disaster, or an appliance malfunction. While each siutation is unique, these flood response tips can help you weather the storm.
1. Safety FIRST!
With water there come many hazards that can threathen the well-being of you and any occupants of the space. Let’s discuss the risks you need to familiarize yourself with:
Electrocution
Water and electricity do not mix. Following a flood, turn off the electricity to the affected areas, or contact a certified electrician to do so.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Standing water can generate slippery conditions within your home. A fall, slip, or trip can land you in the hospital during what is already a difficult time.
Bacteria, Toxins, and Other Contaminants
Flooding can bring debris, fecal matter, bacteria, toxins, and many other contaminants in contact with your home. Failure to protect yourself can lead to severe sickness. If you must enter the property, be sure to don personal protective equipment (PPE) that covers your eyes, hands, feet, and mouth.
2. Call an Expert Flood Restoration Company
Because flooding is such an overwhelming event, you will want to work with a flood restoration company that knows the strict protocols needed to mitigate the siutation. FloodSERV is a highly trained, certified, and licensed flood damage company with the equipment and expertise needed to recover.
FloodSERV starts floodwater removal as soon as possible to remove all moisture. Then, comes drying and dehumidification of the areas, followed by restoration of your personal belongings.
3. Contact Your Insurance Agent
Two things matter when it comes to your insurance. First, contact your insurance agent immediately. Second, understand that flood damage is generally not covered by a typical homeowner’s insurance company. This can save you disappointment and expectation.
4. Document the Damages
Flooding causes extreme destruction to your space and belongings. While you may want to get on with the flood damage cleanup process, you’ll want to first document the damages. Take clear pictures and videos to serve as a record while negotiating with the insurance adjuster.
Don’t Let Flood Damage Get You Down
At FloodSERV, we want to see our customers happy. From your initial call all the way through the flood restoration process, we take care of you. We hope these tips help you better resond in the event of a flood. We offer 24/7 assistance!