What to Do If Your Home Floods

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

What to Do If Your Home Floods

You’ve been hit by severe weather and excessive rains, and your home is flooding. What do you do first?

If you experience flooding in your home, you need to act quickly. Mold can begin growing within 24 hours, depending on the environment. Remember that mold grows best in warm, damp environments. 

First, take pictures of the water damage from a safe place. You don’t want to stand in water that could be electrically charged, or contains bacteria or sharp objects. The pictures will help when insurance gets involved. 

Aside from documenting with pictures, your first move is dependent upon the height of the water. If the water in your home is below electrical outlets, then you can focus on salvaging appliances, decor, and furniture. Remove rugs and other absorbent materials, and place them in a well-ventilated spot where they can begin to dry. 

Wooden furniture can be hoisted above the water using bricks. If the water level is low enough, you can even cover the legs of furniture with a waterproof material like aluminum foil to protect the wood from soaking up moisture and warping. 

If the water has risen above electrical outlets, then first, shut off your electricity and gas. Next, call your electrician. If your home has flooded from severe weather, then chances are good that many other homeowners are experiencing the same thing. Call the electrician quickly to beat the rush. 

After you’ve called an electrician, reach out to your insurance company to begin the claims process. The sooner you get this process started, the faster you will be reimbursed for the water damage repair costs.