Flood Emergency Response Plan
Floors, walls, and ceilings can be ruined by water damage caused by either natural disasters or a plumbing problem. Without prompt drying, mold growth is likely, and your belongings may be ruined. Take a deep breath and stay calm. If you follow these suggestions, you should be able to get through this trying time with minimal difficulty.
Check that everyone is out of the water and safe
The first thing you should do is get everyone out of the house and away from the water. This includes pets. Once you have evacuated, do not go back inside for any reason. If the flooding is due to a natural disaster, listen to local news reports for information and instructions from authorities.
Check out the damage and take pictures
When everyone is secure, it’s time to check the flooded house. Seeing the destruction can naturally evoke strong feelings. Still, before calling your insurance carrier, you should get a feel for how extensive the damage is. If it is safe to do so, taking pictures or video of the destruction is a good practice to avoid misunderstandings later.
The following are important considerations:
-The roof has holes, leaks, and missing or broken shingles.
-Doors and windows are broken.
-Problems caused by dampness.
-Flooding and burst pipe.
-Items of furniture and home appliances that are broken or damaged.
The best course of action after a storm is to have a professional roofing company evaluate the roof for any damage. They might take pictures of the damage and submit a claim to the insurer. It is crucial to fix the roof so that water doesn’t continue to leak into the house or garage.
Urgent Need for Cleaning
Immediate approach to do if it is safe to do so is to switch off the breakers to the affected area. You don’t want to get shocked by the electrical current running through the water, and you also don’t want to add a fire to your list of problems. If water has reached your breaker area, call a professional, safety first! Just as you wouldn’t put a hairdryer near a bathtub full of water, electricity and water should never mix. If the leak is coming from a broken pipe, turn off the water supply, this is a good time to remind everyone in the house where the water shut-off is. You can use a mop for smaller jobs, but if there is a lot of water or dirt, a wet/dry vacuum cleaner will be your best friend.
Rinse and Dry the Entire Space
While removing visible water is a priority, drying out unseen sources of moisture such as the carpet pad, sheetrock, and insulation is of paramount importance. To achieve this, you’ll need to dry the affected area thoroughly, perhaps with the help of a commercial air mover, which will blow the moisture out of the carpet, walls, and furniture. In addition, you should install a dehumidifier to keep the air dry. This device will remove all of the humidity from the air, speeding up the drying process and reducing the likelihood of mold growth.
Throw away any food that will spoil
There should be no food left in the house. It’s understandable to try to save what you can, but food spoils quickly under unsanitary conditions like stagnant water, high humidity, or an absence of refrigeration. As long as there is no bulging or breakage, canned goods can be stored safely indefinitely.
Fix the water leak and get the humidity down
Damage caused by storms often leads to the growth of mold and mildew. Moldy black, green, or brown spots can remain on walls, ceilings, and floors for weeks or months after an event has passed. In light of this, it is critical to initiate the drying out process without delay. To manage moisture and humidity properly, it is usually required to hire a restoration firm.
Keep your own safety in mind at all times. Wear protective gear and flush any area of your body that encountered contaminated water. That way, you won’t have to worry about getting sick from harmful bacteria, viruses, or insects.
Turn off the utilities
Weighing the risks of working with electricity while wet can be a death sentence. Power should be turned off and the wiring inspected by a professional electrician if there is any uncertainty.
In the event of water damage or a backed-up sewage system, a plumber should be contacted immediately. Anytime a homeowner has an issue with their plumbing, whether it’s inside or outside the house, they may call on the experts at Sin City Plumbing to help.
