Floods can be the result of external, environmental factors or come from the inside of your home. Do you know what you should do in case of a flood? It’s best to be prepared! Here are the 6 steps you should follow to stay safe, prepare, and lessen the extent of water damage:
1. Turn off Your Electricity
As soon as you notice any signs of a flood, it’s integral to turn off the electricity in your home. If you can reach the fuse box, make sure to do so instead of individually turning off each electrical device. However, if the place where your fuse box is located is already flooded, don’t walk through water to get to it. Instead, call an electrician and evacuate the premises immediately.
2. Find the Source of the Water
If the flooding is coming from your home, the first thing you should do is shut off the water source. The quickest way to do so is to turn off the main water valve in your home. Make sure you know where the valve is so you can turn it off quickly in case of accidental flooding. For example, when moving into a new home locate the cut off to all water sources right away so you and your family are prepared! However, if the source of the flood is rain or some other environmental factor, proceed to the next step.
3. Evacuate the Flooded Premises and Call for Help
Leave the flooded area as soon as possible. Make sure that everyone is safe and out of the house. If anyone needs medical attention, call 911 as soon as possible. Once you confirm that everyone is safe, call your landlord or insurer and let them know what’s happening. It’s smart to plan ahead and have the phone numbers of your landlord and insurer written down somewhere or saved in your phone in case the flood damages your phone.
4. Make Sure to Document Everything
Once the flood has settled down, you will want to clean up the mess as soon as possible. However, it’s smart to take pictures of the damage first. Photos are the best way to show the extent of the damage to your insurer. But make sure to wear protective gear and don’t touch any hazardous material. Decide what you will use the sop up the water, such as beach towels. Calling a professional to help is recommended.
5. Don’t Delay the Cleanup Process
You should start the cleanup process as soon as it’s safe to do so. Cleaning up after a flood is a strenuous process, and delaying it can cause more damage to your home. Make sure to remove the water and salvage any items you can. Dry out your home as much as possible and disinfect the areas affected by the flood. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, Red Cross has a handy guide that can help you ensure you don’t miss anything. Having a professional service help you is always a good idea. They have specialized dryers to help get the moisture out or walls and baseboards.
6. Prevent Mold Damage
Once you assess the primary destruction of flooding, switch your attention to secondary damage. Mold can begin to grow within the first 24–48 hours after flooding and, if you leave it unattended, toxic or black mold can start to develop as well. Toxic mold can cause respiratory illnesses and have a long-term effect on your health. Therefore, it’s best to contact a mold removal specialist you trust in order to stop the mold from spreading.
How to Protect Your Home from Flooding
Although there’s little you can do to prevent flooding caused by environmental factors, you can protect your home from water damage that comes from the inside of your home. For example, you can get a waterproof safe where you can store your valuables and install a home security system that will detect the flood early.
Additionally, it’s smart to invest in a sump pump if you regularly have water buildup in your basement. These simple ways to protect your home can end up saving you thousands of dollars in case of a flood.
Mold Solutions is here to help you with all of your concerns. Contact us to answer any of your questions and save our number in your phone now to ensure you are as prepared as possible! Read more about mold concerns and treatment HERE!
