1. Locate the Source
Do you know where the water coming from? If a broken pipe is to blame, you can turn off the water source to stop the flow. Is it seeping in from cracks in the foundation? You’ll have to call in a pro to fix it. Knowing where it’s coming from can also determine whether or not the water is sanitary. Again, while a burst pipe under your sink isn’t ideal, at least it’s clean water. The same can’t be said for floods caused by a sewer backup.
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2. Turn off the Power
You might not have to worry about this part if there’s only a small amount of water, but if you’ve got a major flood in the basement, for example, your electrical outlets might be submerged. The power should be cut for safety.
If your circuit panel is in the basement, do not attempt to reach it in order to turn the device off. Instead, call your utility company and have them turn off the power. When the water is removed and you begin to dry out the space, call an electrician to inspect your wiring, including any electronic appliances that might have been damaged in the flood to see what is safe to use before plugging anything back in.
3. Call the Insurance Company
Putting in an insurance claim for water damage might not be the first thing on your mind when you’ve got a foot of liquid in your home, but you’ll want to eventually call your homeowner’s insurance company.
While it’s likely you won’t have flood insurance that covers natural events like hurricanes, you will probably be covered in the event of sewage backup or plumbing problems. Document the damage as best you can—the company will send an adjustor for a full inspection—and start your insurance claim.
One important reason to call the insurance company sooner rather than later is that they can likely make contractor recommendations for mold remediation specialists in your area or water damage repair professionals.
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4. Remove Wet Items and Begin the Drying Process
When it is safe to do so, remove wet items as quickly as possible. Some might be able to be dried out and salvaged. Other things, like carpet that has been submerged, should be discarded. Leave any large appliances in their spots to dry out and seek an electrician’s advice on what might be safely used again.
You might be able to DIY your own water damage repair, provided there’s not a lot of flooding and you can act quickly. Open up all the windows and doors to the affected space as much as possible. If you can safely do so, plug-in fans and dehumidifiers. The faster you can draw out the moisture, the better the chance you will avoid mold growth.
5. Contact a Water Restoration Professional
If you are dealing with feet instead of inches of water, it’s time to call in a pro. Not only will the specialist have the equipment necessary to pump out and dry out your space more efficiently, but they’ll know how quickly to do it.
It might seem counterintuitive to slow down when it comes to pumping out water, but the pros will know how much to remove at a time to preserve the integrity of your home’s foundation and structure.
6. Call a Mold Specialist
If you acted quickly to remove items and dry out the space within 24 hours of the water damage, there’s a good chance you were able to ward off mold growth. But don’t assume anything—and don’t assume that you can see the mold, either. Mold spores grow anywhere unchecked moisture has been, which includes in HVAC ducts and underneath flooring.
Again, it’s probably not necessary to call in a mold remediation specialist if you were able to take care of the excess water with a mop or a couple of passes with a shop vac. But if it took a long time for the water to recede and days to dry out the space, it’s a good idea to hire a professional to condcut a mold inspection for the health and well-being of your household.
7. Clean the Space
Once the space has been emptied and dried out, it’s time to clean and sanitize. If it was clean water to begin with, like from a pipe burst, you can likely do the cleanup on your own, using everyday cleaning products. But if sewage or other dirty water was involved, it’s better to call in the pros to sanitize the area.
8. Restore and Rebuild
If you’re a DIY expert, you might actually relish the opportunity to redo your space after a flood, which might involve anything from a fresh coat of paint on the baseboards to replacing flooring and drywall. For the latter scenario, you might want to call in a professional. But even if the flooding happened in an unfinished basement that you plan to keep unfinished, it’s important to get a pro’s opinion on how to avoid another issue like this in the future.
Of course, some things can’t be avoided, like hurricane season. But if the water damage was caused by poor drainage, you can explore ways of improving the drainage around your home’s foundation. If you’re conducting water damage repair as the result of a faulty household appliance or plumbing, repair or replace the offending parts. If you have new appliances or systems, start getting them inspected regularly to avoid mishaps.
There are few things scarier for homeowners than finding water where it shouldn’t be. In the aftermath of flooding, though, it pays to stay calm and act quickly to maintain your own safety and mitigate damage to your home and personal possessions.
www.forbes.com
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/home-emergencies/steps-after-water-damage/
