When water begins to rise unexpectedly inside a home, it is important to act fast to reduce the amount of sustained flood damage. A call to flood damage clean up services is essential; however, there are other things that homeowners should also do.
Whether the damage results from a broken pipe, an appliance hose rupture, or a natural disaster, those who follow the below tips can be sure the problem is cleaned up as quickly as possible and any damage is properly restored.
Consider Safety Issues First
Before starting clean up efforts, it is important to determine whether there are any health risks. Depending on where the water came from, it may contain bacteria and other harmful organisms. There could also be structural damage to the area or electrical concerns if wires or power cords were involved.
The best thing to do is contact flood damage pros to come and assess the damage as well as look for these and other safety concerns. They will determine whether there are any hazards present that must first be dealt with and when clean up efforts can begin.
Photograph the Damage
Once the area has been cleared for re-entry, photograph the affected area and any damaged items. Insurance companies need this information so there is an accurate account of the damage in order to reimburse for repairs and item replacement. This should be done quickly so that the actual clean up can begin before mold and mildew start to grow on surfaces.
Keep all invoices or documents provided by flood damage clean up services during the restoration so they can be submitted to the insurance company for payment or reimbursement.
Dry Everything Out
After photographing the situation, it is time to begin the hard work of removing affected items and getting the place dried out. Any standing water that remains should be pumped out; all wet and damaged items should be removed from the area. Depending on the severity of the flooding, homeowners may need to call flood damage clean up services for help. Professional water damage services use powerful suction and drying equipment to get the water out quickly and to begin drying all surfaces.
Repair Any Remaining Damage
Once everything has been effectively dried, homeowners can start making any necessary repairs. New carpeting or fixtures and any structural repairs can only be done once everything is completely dried out. If there is any mold or mildew present, flood damage services will treat the area to disinfect and sanitize. Other repairs can then be made to restore the home to its original condition.
The key to obtaining the best results when dealing with flood damage is to act fast to minimize permanent damage. Prevention of mold and mildew is a chief concern, as its growth can complicate drying and restoration efforts. Once the affected area is safe to enter and all damage is documented, handle flood damage by calling experienced flood damage clean up services to get things back to normal as quickly and easily as possible!