Flooding is a disaster experienced in different parts of the globe. It occurs because of different reasons, namely heavy rains, overflowing reviews, broken dams, and poor urban drainage basins. But regardless of the cause, one thing is certain – the aftermath of flooding can be life-threatening.
Experiencing flood damage in your property is not easy to deal with, but fortunately, there are a lot of ways on how you can survive this disaster. Being equipped with this information will make it easier for you to get back on track because you’ll lessen the anxiety of having water leak into your home. This information can also help you save money because you’ll know what to prioritize and repair after flooding damaged your property.
To help you recover faster, here’s how you can repair flood damage in your property:
1. Always Prioritize Your Safety
There are many hazards in your property after flood damage. Even if you think the water from your property has dried out, expect that there is still danger lurking. In fact, 60% of basements in the US have an existing moisture issue, which means that the effects of flooding will remain for a long period in your property.
If you don’t want to put your safety at risk as you’re repairing your property from flood damage, make sure that all of the power in your home is turned off. Locate your fuse box and turn off your main breaker and all individual fuse switches. You should follow this step even if there is a widespread power outage in your area as you’ll put your life in danger when you step on floodwater at the same time when power is restored.
2. Dress Properly
Regardless of how clean you think the flood water is in your property, dressing properly is always necessary while you’re repairing flood damage in your property. Aside from wading in the water itself, keep in mind that your body will also come in contact with other matters present in the water, such as debris, sewage, and garbage. In some cases, flood water might also contain mold and bacteria that can be harmful to your health.
Flood water can be highly toxic and contaminated, which is why you should wear rubber boots and gloves when repairing flood damage. Avoid touching your face with your gloves and other body parts that come in contact with the floodwater to prevent the spread of germs.
3. Determine And Stop The Water Source
As mentioned, flooding can happen because of different reasons – and if you want to repair flood damage in your property in the easiest and most effective way possible, you should first determine the main cause of the problem. It’ll be useless to dry out your basement or property if the water source is still leaking.
If the flood damage has been caused by a broken appliance or burst pipes, turn off the water supply to your property. However, if the flood is caused by natural disasters such as storms, reach out to your city and inquire if the storm drains are open. The water will recede faster, and it’ll be easier for you to dry out your property if these drains are open.
4. Assess If Your Property Is Structurally Safe
Your home is one of the most important investments you’ll make in your life, but this doesn’t mean that you should still live in it after it was severely damaged by flooding. Living in a home that is no longer structurally sound can result in injuries and accidents, so you have to make sure about the structural integrity of your house after a flood.
To determine if your property is still structurally safe after flooding, check for any buckled walls or floors as these are the most common indicators of structural damage. If you see any of these, regardless of how minimal you think the damage is, do not enter your home as there is a risk of collapse.
5. Find Reputable And Honest Contractors
Homeowners can only do so much in repairing their properties from flood damage. Regardless of how much you try, your ability to pacify the problem is very limited. This is especially true if you don’t have the necessary experience and tools to properly repair your property from flood damage.
For you to avoid making the problem worse, find reputable and honest contractors who can help you out. Today, you can now hire water damage restoration and water removal contractors to help you remove standing water from your property and dry your things out.
Knowledge Is Power
For you to carry out the tips presented in this article, it’s important to remain calm. Panicking about the condition of your property after it was hit by a flood can only worsen your problems. Take a deep breath, grieve if necessary, and strive to move forward. Things might seem hopeless after experiencing flood damage in your property, but when you know what to do and what not to do, you can recover faster and easier.
