There are those days when you wake up to a bad morning where you found your house damaged by water. A range of events can cause the damage; flooding from heavy rains, hurricanes, tsunami, sewer back-up, damaged piping systems, and malfunctioning appliances.
Damage from water can cause several safety hazards and damage to the house’s structural integrity. Before moving around things in the house, it is best to contract a professional’s services to help you determine the extent of the damage and measures you can take. This article is centered on some of the steps you can take when you find the house is water damaged.
Contact your Insurance Company
This is the most immediate step you should take. People ask if it is possible to insure your home against water damage, the answer is yes. The insurance varies with the policy you take on your property. Take account of every item in the house before and after cleaning the house. The records you make will help your insurance company assess the damage accordingly for compensation. When taking out a policy for your house, be careful to include the water damage clause as not all home insurances cover damages related to water damage.
Watch your house while taking safety measures
As discussed previously, water damage greatly interferes with the house’s structural integrity, posing a safety risk to the home occupants. To stay safe, there are several things you can do
- Turn off the power mains. However, if the main area is located in the house’s wet areas, it is best to leave them onand restrict movement to the area.
- Wear protective gear like helmets, gloves, and rubber boots to safeguard against possible injuries.
- You can try to protect the undamaged valuables like pieces of furniture and carpets from the wet flooring.
- The most important thing to do in case the flooding is severe is to find a safe location away from your home and return later to clear out destroyed property.
Immediately begin the cleanup process
Upon receiving the go-ahead from the authorities and professionals to re-enter your home, you should immediately clean the mess. The cleanup usually starts after 24-48 hours or even more, depending on the flood severity. The cleaning process has been tedious for a single family to handle. Hence, it is recommended to hire a cleaning and restoration company to assist in giving your home a fresh start.
When cleaning, it is best to make peace with the fact that you will have to throw away most of your belongings, including some pieces of furniture. You may also need an extensive repair on your flooring to prevent mold and other organisms from growing in your house.
Dry out your residence
After removing all the water from the house, you need to dry out every inch of the house. Probably most of your belongings are wet, especially for people in a humid area. Make an effort to get back your electricity to power the central air conditioning to help deal with humidity. You can get floor fans and dehumidifiers to effectively get rid of dampness in the house.
However, you may still need a professional to handle this part to prevent mildew and mold growth within your home. Starting the cleanup and drying process immediately has been proven to effectively reduce mold growth and other potentially harmful organisms.
Check for mold growth
Mold grows very fast, needing only 24 hours to attach itself to your home. Allowing them to grow will pose a challenge of getting rid of them once they spread. Molds are difficult to get rid of, something that may need you to completely remove some affected areas before moving in. Get a professional to assess the situation before moving in completely.