Depending on where you live, your house may be more prone to flooding. Of course, the weather also plays a significant factor in determining if your house is going to flood. A massive downpour over multiple days, or a winter with record-breaking snowfalls, there is a good chance a house or two will flood.
Unfortunately, when flooding happens, a significant amount of damage occurs. Even the smallest amount of water seeping into an unwanted area will cause damage. With quick thinking and dealing with the water as soon as possible, you increase the chance of saving any personal belongings and your home too.
Here are a few tips to help you deal with a flooded home, and to prevent as much water damage as possible.
Shut Down the Power
The faster you can shut down any power to the flooded area, the better chance you have of not frying your electronics. Water and electricity do not mix very well. But if they do come in contact, be very careful as it can cause a lot of damage and even death to a person.
Start Moving Personal Belongings
When it is safe to go into the flooded area, grab some rubber boots and get to work. Quickly remove your prize possessions either from the path of the water to try and save them. The longer an item sits in water, the more likely it will be damaged or start to develop mold.
If the affected area has carpet, more than likely the carpet will need to be removed. If you can dry it out and disinfect it right away, it may be salvageable.
Remove the Water
Once you are sure you have all your belongings out of the water, it is time to start getting it out of your house. Depending on how much water and the area flooded will determine which steps to take.
If the flood is preventing you from using any electricals, get ready for some manual labor. Grab mops, buckets, towels and friends to start dumping the water out. If the sewers haven’t backed up, you can pour the water down the drain. Otherwise, you’ll want to dump the water outside.
Some stores will also rent out sump pumps if you do not own one. These come in handy if your house is prone to flooding and are great for cleaning out a flooded basement.
Dry the Area
Set up fans and dehumidifiers to get the area dried out. The longer an area sits damp, the greater the chance mold will develop. Make sure the area is completed dry before you put everything back together.
At this time, inspect your walls, baseboards and any part of the house that had standing water. More than likely if you have drywall, it will need to be cut and replaced. Baseboards and trim made of wood may be salvageable once dried and cleaned.
Once you have thoroughly dried the area and remove any damaged items, you can start cleaning up and putting things back together. Mold growth is something to be cautious about, especially if the room sat in water for an extended amount of time. If the flood is quite significant, it may be best to bring in the professionals.
