Water Damage Cleanup – The First 5 Steps to Recovery After a Flood

Flooding and water damage are any building owner’s nightmare. Whether your property is flooded after a natural disaster, a plumbing issue, leaking appliances, or even a fire, dealing with the damage afterwards can be frustrating. While you are looking for someone to help you with the cleaning in Odessa, it is natural to feel confused and overwhelmed. You may need help figuring out how to recover from the flood and repair your water-damaged home. These five steps can help you recover after the flood;

Prevent Further Flooding

If the flooding has not stopped, take action to stop it. Steps you can take to prevent further flooding include:

• Turn off the water supply.
• Disconnect your appliances like the dishwasher or washing machine if that is the cause of the flooding
• In case of a river flood, use sandbags to prevent the water from further entering the property
• If the flood is caused due to a leaking roof during rains, use a tarpaulin sheet to stop the leak.

In some cases, you may be evacuated from your home if there has been excessive flooding due to a major plumbing issue or a natural disaster.  

Safety First

Once the flood waters recede, return and start checking for any damage. Though your first impulse after a flood would be to start cleaning your home, you must ensure you and your family’s safety first. Remember, the danger does not end just because the flooding has stopped. You may be facing sewage and chemical contamination in your home. There could be the risk of electric shocks and chemical inhalation as well. In addition, contaminants could have penetrated your home’s structure, causing damage. Below are a few steps you can take to ensure safety:

• Shut off the gas before entering your home
• Shut off the power to the flooded areas to avoid electric shocks
• Ensure you wear protective clothing and rubber boots
• Check the building’s foundation for cracks and other damage
• Examine your windows, floors, and walls

If you have further doubts about your safety, contact a qualified building inspector or structural engineer to check your property. Once you are sure the building is safe, you can go in. 

Contact Your Insurance Company

You have stopped the flooding, checked your property, and ensured everyone at home is safe. The next step is to contact your insurance company. Find out what your policy covers and request someone to come and assess the damage. While waiting for the insurance agent, document every damage and loss in your home before you start cleaning. Take as many photographs and videos as possible. Take pictures when cleaning your property as well. These photos and videos can act as evidence and will help the insurance company determine the value of the damage the flooding caused.

Clean and Protect Belongings

After you have collected enough evidence, you can start the cleaning process. While cleaning, try to disinfect your items as much as possible. Some tips for cleaning your household items include:

• Use pumps and pails to remove any standing water.
• Vacuum the entire area to dry it further.
• Remove any soaked or contaminated items and place them in plastic bags. You can go through them later and discard anything that cannot be saved.
• Use a shovel to remove silt and mud before it dries. You can also use a hose if necessary.
• Use a moisture meter to identify wet walls and dry them. This is critical to ensure your family’s safety and the home’s structure. Wet walls, if ignored for a long time, can lead to mold and mildew growth and affect the home’s structure.
• Use a stiff brush to scrub the woodwork and floors. Try to do this within 48 hours of the flooding. This will prevent mold and mildew growth. You can also use hot water and disinfectant for the job.
• Use household cleaners to remove dirt.
• Use disinfectants to stop the spread of infections and disease.

Contact a Flood Restoration Specialist

Finally, contact a reliable and experienced flood restoration specialist like CarpetMax Carpet Cleaning. They offer carpet cleaning, grout and tile cleaning, area rug cleaning, and water damage restoration. They will inspect the damage to your home using different equipment and techniques. They will then develop a restoration plan to clean and dry out your home. 

How long it takes to dry and restore your home depends on the extent of damage, the materials used in your building construction, and the air circulation in your home. You can move into your house once the restoration contractors finish cleaning and restoring your home.