What To Do After A Flood

1/13/2021 (Permalink)

Water and flood damage can prove to have life-altering impacts on you and your home.

Figuring out what to do following a flood at your home or business, is overwhelming. By acting smart and fast, you can secure as many of your positions, and limit the damage, as much as possible. The experts at SERVPRO Mesquite put together this quick guide to support any members of our community affected by flooding. Following our key tips will help you save more of your belongings, and be ready to deal with the aftermath of a flood. 

Initial Action

After the immediate emergency situation of flooding is addressed and everyone is safe, your first call should be to your insurance company to report the flood. 

Do not re-enter the building until you are certain it is safe to do so. Water damage can destabilize a building and damage it's structural integrity. If the water level is still high, it is also unsafe to enter. If your electricity and gas can be turned off without entering the home, this is a good idea. If not, call your utility companies for assistance in cutting off your supply - a gas leak or standing water mixing with electricity could be deadly. Check for sewage or contaminated water in the flood, this may also make it unsafe to enter. Wait for the authorities to perform a safety inspection and clear you to go inside.  

Keeping thorough and concise records and inventory is vital to your insurance. Once you are cleared to enter the building, document everything you safely can, with pictures, videos and a detailed inventory, before any kind of clean up happens. 

Commencing Clean Up

Once the scene of the flood is well documented, clean up can begin. Removing any items you can, is a good starting point. Even items that aren't directly exposed to water can still be damaged by the humidity and mold that often results from flooding, so until the space is restored, it is best to remove them. Take care unplugging electronics, and make sure the electricity is turned off. Thoroughly dry all recovered items to prevent mold, before storing in a secure area.

Next, water must be extracted from the building while keeping the humidity as low as possible to prevent mold. Our experts at SERVPRO Mesquite are specially trained to complete water extraction and drying to prevent further damage and avoid molding. If you decide to attempt this step yourself, a submersible pump or wet vacuum is a good starting point. Opening windows and running fans and dehumidifiers can help keep humidity down while you dry your building. 

Clean and Restore

Once everything is successfully and thoroughly dried, a thorough sanitization must occur to prevent the growth of toxic mold, and future property and health damage. All upholstery and carpet must be cleaned and sanitized, as must anything touched by the flood waters. Some items may be unsalvageable and require replacement.

A flood can be a catastrophe for your family or business, and the aftermath is a series of daunting tasks that must be done quickly and correctly to set things right and prevent further damage, but you don't have to go it alone. SERVPRO Mesquite is ready to take on the job and show you just why our company motto is "Like it never even happened." 

After you call, a flood restoration specialist will meet with you quickly to create a plan that works with your timeline, to get you back up and running. Our expert team has years of experience and the correct tools to make sure every stage of flood restoration is done quickly and effectively. Facing the aftermath of a flood is never easy, but SERVPRO Mesquite is on hand to get you from crisis, to business as usual, as painlessly as possible.