There can be many reasons for a house to be flooded, from a burst water pipe, to something as serious as Hurricane Irma. Whatever, the reason, it’s possible for a considerable amount of damage to be caused. Taking the right actions helps to limit this damage as much as possible.
Flooding can be heartbreaking, but it’s important to remain resilient. Doing so makes it easier for you to take all of the necessary action, and get through the experience, as well as possible.
Dealing with the initial flooding
If the flooding as been caused by a natural phenomenon, it’s not really possible to deal with it while it’s happening. The best you can do is protect your home as well as you possibly can.
On the other hand, if your home has been flooded due to a burst pipe, you should turn off the water supply, if possible. Then you need to call an emergency plumber, to help you rectify the situation.
Dealing with the damage
Once the flood water has receded, it’s time to start dealing with the damage. If you live in an area where flooding is common, you may have flood insurance in place. If this is the case, remember to take photographs of the damage, before you start to clean up.
If you do not have flood insurance in place, and you live in a flooded area where a state of emergency has been declared, you may be entitled to help from the government; although this is difficult to obtain.
Whether or not you can get financial help, you need to start the clean-up process as soon as possible. The presence of moisture causes damp to build up, and can lead to the presence of mold. Many people are sensitive to mold, and can suffer problems such as breathing difficulties as the result of its presence. This is why it’s important to prevent mold becoming an issue. It’s often a good idea to get help from experts in water damage restoration, to help make sure that the results are successful.
When you start clearing up after a flood, you need to:
- Make sure it’s safe for you to be in the property.
- Open doors and windows to let in air.
- Use fans and dehumidifiers, to get rid of the moisture.
- Sort out what items need to be disposed of, and do so.
The clean-up process is often not easy; especially if a lot of items have been destroyed. But, you need to make progress as quickly as possible, so that you can preserve as much of your property as you can. It’s also important that you return your home to as normal a state as possible, so that you can start to recover from the trauma of the flooding. Do not feel as though you have to do everything yourself. It’s a good idea to get some professional help, if you start to feel overwhelmed by the situation.
