As a homeowner, one of the things that can happen is that you are hit by a flood. A flooded house is not only a very frustrating problem to deal with, but it can be very costly as well. Floods can cause damage to your furniture, electronic devices, and valued documents, and to the house’s structure as well.
Most people never think that their houses will flood, especially if they aren’t from areas susceptible to natural disaster, but homeowners should be aware that nobody is safe and that disasters can happen at any time. And it’s not only natural disasters; flooding could occur because of something as simple as a malfunctioning sump-pump or a burst pipe.
Floods are the kinds of problems that won’t go away until you do something about them. In this article, we’re going to give you a few tips on what to do if you are the victim of a flood.
Safety Comes First
Use your common sense and ensure that your safety remains a priority throughout the ordeal. One of the first precautionary steps you should take is to switch off your mains electricity since we all know that a combination of water and electricity is deadly. Make sure you wear some protective clothing such as hand gloves and rubber boots before you do anything.
You also need protective clothing because you don’t know what else the water is carrying in the form of debris. You could even step on sharp objects and injure yourself. If the cause of the flooding is a blocked sewer, the water could have dissolved chemicals that are harmful.
Once you manage to extract the water, throw away any foodstuffs you suspect might have been contaminated by the flood water. Wash all your dishes and other utensils thoroughly and ensure they are clean before using them again.
Stop and Drain the Water
In your protective gear, stop the source of the flooding if possible. Stopping the source of the flooding allows you to concentrate on draining out the flood water. If you can’t, your best move will be to contact a water restoration service provider to stop the flooding. You might also be forced to replace any broken pipes or buy a new sump-pump if that was the cause of the flooding.
Dry Your House
After the house is drained, it’s time to dry out the damp. Open your windows to allow the sunshine into your house and fresh air. You could also use a dehumidifier to dry out the wetness and fans can also come in handy during the drying process.
Flooding can be very destructive and frustrating. After everything was done, it’s always best that you keep an eye on any symptoms of water damage in your house. You should always be on the lookout for things such as water stains on your wall and floors.
If you notice any form of corrosion or missing caulks on your piping, make sure you seek professional help before you even experience flooding. And always keep a list of professional water restoration service providers just in case.