The Complete Guide on What to Do After a Flood

5/21/2021 (Permalink)

flood damage after a storm

Floods are everywhere; 99% of American counties have experienced at least one flooding event since 1996. 

They can occur at any moment and damage any part of your home. It is absolutely important that you know what to do after a flood. But the steps to take after a flood involve a lot more than evacuating and wiping down puddles. 

What can you do to stop water inside your home? What should your first steps be after you return? How can you help clean up your property? 

Answer these questions and you can make your flood cleanup a lot easier. Here is your quick guide. 

Stop the Water When You Can 

When people think about flood damage, they think about natural disasters bringing water in. It is true that a hurricane can bring floods into your home. 

But burst pipes or appliances can also fill your home with water. When that's the case, turn the main water valve off. Lock doors leading into the room and fill the gaps in them with towels to keep leaks from coming through. 

If you are expecting a natural disaster, you should shut your valve off. Seal your faucets and wrap your pipes with rags to protect them from breaking. 

You should also turn off the electrical systems in your house. Unplug all appliances and remove the batteries in clocks. 

Never endanger yourself. If turning off the valve will put you at risk for poisoning or electrocution, do not do it. 

Get Out and Stay Out 

Floodwaters are a significant danger. Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet, and one foot can drag your vehicle away. 

If your local or state government tells you to evacuate, you should do so. Gather your essential belongings, including medications and photo IDs. Get out as soon as possible. 

If you cannot leave your home, move to the upper levels. Avoid touching the water unless you must evacuate. 

When you can return to your home, you may be tempted to enter right away. You should avoid doing so since toxins can be inside. Wait until you get an all-clear from a trained professional.

Get in Touch With Others

If you sustained any sort of injury, you should get medical attention. A cut that had water inside can develop into an infection. If you're safe, call a family member to tell them you are alright. 

If you live in a rental property, call your landlord. Tell them how the water got into your property and what the exterior seems like. You should also tell them how other residents are doing. 

If you own your home, call your insurer. Tell them what happened and where you think the damage might be. 

Your insurer may want to send an inspector before they give you compensation. Wait for them before heading inside if your insurer decides on this. 

Document the Damage 

Take photographs of absolutely everything. The more proof you have of damage, the more insurance compensation you can receive. 

Photograph the exterior of your property, including doors and windows. If you have a garden or shed that got damaged, take photos of that as well. 

Move through your house room by room. Take a look at the far corners and the bottoms of your walls. 

Proceed into your basement with caution. Wear personal protective equipment, including a respirator that filters out airborne substances. If you see mold or animals, stay away. 

In addition to photographs, create written lists of everything that is damaged. Provide detailed descriptions of each item to increase your chances of getting a replacement. 

Photos of damaged rooms are especially effective if you have photos from before the flood. Take photographs of anything you've bought that is valuable, like television sets. Keep receipts in a waterproof container that you store in your attic. 

Cleaning up After a Flood

You should call a service when you encounter any flood damage. Flood damage has several hidden dangers that are hard to detect. Water strains foundations, which you may not notice until you put weight on them. 

Once your insurer is done looking at your home, contact professionals near you. After a major emergency, there will be a lot of people calling them. Be patient and try to assess the damage on your own. 

You can help in a few ways. Remove possessions that you think you can salvage. Keep them dry in waterproof containers. 

Air-dry your clothes and linens on clotheslines and tables. Spray them with antibacterial substances before wearing them again. 

Open doors and windows to allow air to circulate. Make sure that this does not allow bacteria or mold to spread. If the doors or windows are broken, place boards over them to keep animals from entering. 

Use a sump pump to remove standing water. If you have small pools, you can use buckets, but be careful. Wear gloves and boots and make sure you can carry the water out by hand. 

Know What to Do After a Flood 

Now you should understand what to do after a flood. If you're able to, turn off the water valve. Shut off electricity to prevent electrocutions. 

Evacuate before any major natural disaster. Stay out of your home until you get clearance from someone. Also, call your family, then contact your landlord and insurer. 

Take photographs of damaged objects and call a service that will clean up mold and repair your foundations. Keep things dry until you can go back inside. 

Don't wait around to get help. SERVPRO of Central Tallahassee has more than 50 years of experience in managing flood damage. Contact us today.