What To Do After A Flood

Flooding can happen in a flash due to heavy rainfall or from a body of water. Flooding can happen unexpectedly from a burst pipe, plumbing fixture or appliance malfunction. However it happens, flooding can quickly cause massive damage in a home or property. As swiftly as it can occur, it needs to be taken care of swiftly as well. 

 

 

 

It’s good to be cautious when it comes to any flood water. It can be contaminated and unclean. When it comes to groundwater intrusion (meaning any flood water that flows from the ground/outdoors into your home or building), then it should be assumed it’s far worse than unclean. Groundwater can be downright hazardous.

 

There are unseen dangers lurking in groundwater, or areas that were contaminated by receding groundwater. While you may think groundwater is from a fairly clean source, any water can pick up and carry contaminants into your space. Groundwater can contain raw sewage, bacteria, chemicals such as oil or gasoline, and other toxins. Flood water could also contain dangerous materials such as debris and sharp objects. When dealing with groundwater, our team will wear proper gear, including gloves, boots, and potentially more PPE depending on the situation.

 

 

No matter the source of the flood water, we all know water and power don’t play well. During any flood, there can be a risk of electrocution. Whether your neighborhood has power or not, you or a certified electrician should manually turn off the power. You should not set foot back inside your property until you’re sure the power is off. 

 

 

Wet surfaces and standing water can lead to serious falls. Also during serious flash floods, there can be risk of gas leaks and structural damage. 

 

 

It’s important to begin drying out your property soon to prevent mold growth. Call for backup and let the dry out and clean up commence, by the professionals! Our team is trained, has the proper equipment, certifications, and knowledge to handle flood damage clean up. We’ll assess the damage and begin to dry out the property. Wet materials and standing water are a recipe for more damage and mold growth. Wet materials may need to be removed. Your insurance company will agree that you should begin the process of drying out your property to avoid further damage and mold growth.

 

 

Call your insurance agent or your insurance company hotline to report the flood and begin the process to file a claim. A burst pipe or a malfunction of an appliance may be covered by your insurance. Unfortunately groundwater intrusion may not be covered, unless you have a separate flood insurance policy. It’s still important to notify your agent and begin the claim process. 

 

 

You may want to begin going through your items and throwing things out, however it’s best to document items first by taking photos and videos of the damage. You’ll want to claim damaged items. The insurance company may ask for proof of damage. We will be able to provide proper documentation of the property to your insurance adjuster during the restoration process.

 

 

Sit back and know that the professionals are handling your dry out and clean up. Your restoration company will regularly monitor and document the drying progress. They’ll clean up and disinfect as needed. If you’ve filed a claim, your restoration company will work with your insurance adjuster throughout the process. As your restoration contractor, our goal is to get your property restored as smoothly and quickly as possible.