My home has flooded! What now?

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

When your home is flooding, it’s imperative that you first stop the water. Water damage will only continue to get worse as long as the water or excessive moisture is in the area, so the cleanup process should begin as soon as possible. Start by:

1. Being Safe
   A flooded house presents many dangers that need to be addressed before going into the affected area. If you can safely reach the breaker box, shut off the main circuit breaker. If appliances, electronics, or exposed wires are sitting in or near the water, an electrical current is traveling through the water. It can also contain dangerous contaminants such as sewage, chemicals, and debris. Wear proper safety gear to protect yourself as you go through the house, such as a mask, gloves, safety goggles, and rubber boots.
2. Contacting the Insurance Company and Documenting Damage
   Call your insurance company so that the restoration process can begin as soon as possible. The insurance adjuster will have to assess the damage before any work is done. Before the adjuster arrives, take pictures of all the damage that you can safely access. It’s also good to have photos of your property before the damage occurs. 
3. Eliminating Water
   Your insurance company will probably let you start the cleanup process before the adjuster arrives as long as you’ve documented the flooding well with photos. Begin by removing all standing water. A wet/dry vacuum is ideal for this job since it’s safe and removes water and small debris quickly.
4. Separating Unsalvageable from Salvageable
   Determine what’s unsalvageable and discard it. Many porous items such as carpet, drywall, and some upholstered furniture probably won’t be salvageable. 
5. Drying
   Open windows and doors to ventilate the area. Running fans and dehumidifiers and HVAC and/or portable heaters will help to dry the area. 

If your house has experienced water damage from any type of flooding in Gainesville, GA, you can count on flood damage experts. They’ll return your home to its preloss condition as quickly as possible.