Flooding is one of the most devastating things to happen to a house and it can be a real nightmare for the homeowner! Millions of people face this situation during the rainy season(s) due to malfunctioning home appliances, damaged sump pumps, or messed up pipelines. When water gets clogged inside the house, it can wreak havoc.
Here are some steps suggested by experts that help in restoring residential water damage.
#1 Stay Safe:
When you first notice that your house has been flooded with water, the first thing to think about is maintaining the safety of yourself and your family members. Once your family is safe, you need to ensure that all electrical appliances are turned off. If it is not possible to do so without entering into the water, you should directly switch off the main power line. This will help you to prevent any sort of short circuit. Besides this, you must also close (shut off) the gas line. If you see that the gas line is damaged, call the gas company so that they can take charge of the broken line.
While doing all this, make sure that you are wearing safety gear, including boots and gloves. Safety gear will protect you from potentially hazardous situations.
If possible, collect your valuables and store them in a safe and secure place.
#2 Start Removing The Water:
You need to discover the root cause of the flooding issue. If water is clogged in a drain, then just clean the drain so that water flows out. If there is an issue with the water pipeline, then it could be difficult for you to remove the water. So, in such a situation, call plumbing professionals as soon as possible. Once the issue is fixed, it becomes easier for you to drain out excess water.
#3 After Removing Water, Start The Cleanup Process:
When water is removed, you should be able to see debris that has been left behind. Focus on cleaning up the house as soon as the water is drained completely. This will help ensure that water will not get clogged again. If you think that the debris and dirt are too much and you won’t be able to fix it, call an expert water damage restoration professional to ensure your safety.
Wearing safety gear, collect all damaged items and throw them out immediately.
#4 Assess The Damage Caused By Water:
Once you have removed water and debris, it is time to assess the damage caused to the items of the house. For instance, the furniture, kitchen cabinets, sofas, table, sidewalls, carpet, house insulation, HVAC appliances, and flooring all need to be checked. You need to remove all the things that are damaged to avoid the growth of mold and mildew. Even after drying all your things, moisture can get trapped in the flooring and furniture- yikes!
While assessing the damages, take several photos for the insurance claim.
#5 Call The Insurance Company:
Call your insurance company when you have images and documents ready to submit to them detailing the damages and work done to fix what’s ruined.
Summary:
Take the necessary steps when it comes to water damage restoration. If you feel overwhelmed, and most people do, it’s a good idea to call a professional water damage restoration company to restore your house to its original condition without any hassle.
