A flood is one of the most traumatic events that a homeowner may experience. The flood itself can be terrifying, but then you have to evacuate your home and go through the ordeal of cleaning and replacing things like carpets, furniture, beds, and pictures. The entire process necessitates a tremendous amount of effort and patience. You can handle it, though. Here’s a detailed list of what to do if your home floods.
What to do in the event of a flood?
After a flood, the aftermath can feel daunting and it might even require water mitigation services in Greer, SC, but tackling it one step at a time can make it simpler.
Stop the water at its source.
Find the source of the water, then either stop it from flowing or block it off completely unless a natural calamity caused the flooding. To cease water flow, turn off the house’s main water valve. Find the valve as soon as possible, preferably before the area is flooded, so it will be easy to find in the case of a water emergency.
Turn off the electricity.
You should cut off the electricity to your entire home’s electrical systems after turning off the water supply, but you shouldn’t have to wade through water to get to the fuse box. If you are unable to reach the fuse box without getting your feet wet, you should get in touch with an electrician.
Evacuate the premises.
If there is a burst pipe or sewage leak, vacate the premises and seek a dry, safe location outside your home. It could be as close as the backyard or as far away as the home of a neighbor or acquaintance. Ensure that everyone—kids, pets, and others who may have been at the house—is safe and unharmed. In a natural disaster, identify a temporary refuge by asking authorities or listening to local news. Get everyone to the shelter as soon as feasible.
Seek assistance.
Once your two- and four-legged family members are on dry ground, contact for assistance. Suppose anyone requires medical attention, dial 911. Regardless of what occurs with the flooded house, your primary concern should be your safety. Once you’ve confirmed that everyone is safe and healthy, you can contact the appropriate parties to begin recovery.
Document everything.
When considering what to do if your house floods, the first thing that generally springs to mind is cleaning up the debris. But first, document everything so you can show your insurer the scope of the damage. Use your cell phone camera to capture or picture all components of the problem.
Because the water flooding your home may contain sewage or other harmful materials, you must take extreme caution not to touch it. Before entering the house, wear proper safety gear, such as waders and waterproof boots or you can inquire about services for professional flood cleaning by visiting your local restoration company or by checking their website.
Begin the cleanup process.
Cleanup after a flood is time-consuming and demanding. You must remove the water, retrieve personal possessions, dry the area, and sterilize affected surfaces and objects. And as with the previous stage, you must complete these chores while wearing suitable safety equipment to avoid contact with microorganisms.
Conclusion
If you don’t know what to do after your house floods, a flood or natural disaster restoration firm can help. They can assess if your walls need to be replaced or if flood waters have harmed your floors. A skilled restoration company can assist you in regaining safe access to your property.
