When it comes to house floods, no matter how minor they may seem at first glance, the damage can be extensive. Water Damage Defense states that 98% of basements in houses across America will experience water-related problems over their lifetime, and many different factors contribute to this statistic. Flooding is a significant issue for those living near rivers or coastal areas with tidal flooding due to storm surges from hurricanes. Hurricane Harvey left thousands homeless after historic rainfall flooded entire neighborhoods, devastating Houston, Texas’s coastline during August 2017, destroying tens of billions worths of property while leaving devastation in its trail.
When faced with the flooding of your home, it is crucial to act fast before there are any more consequences. We at 1800 Damage have included some tips for what you should do when facing a house flood:
You should prioritize your safety when floodwater surrounds you. Flood water poses many risks, both to your and health, and electricity that has come in contact with the water can be life-threatening. Make sure to turn off the main breaker and all individual fuses before entering this dangerous area. If it is too high for you, then call out an electrician who will inspect or evaluate what condition your power box. Avoid exposure to any harmful chemicals by wearing protective gear such as gloves, boots, masks, etc.. Just don’t forget about these first!
Identify the source of the flood and stop it. Turn off your home’s main water supply, find out where exactly in your house there is flooding to prevent further damage or injury. If a pipe has burst or sprung an error, then call a professional water damage restoration company help to fix this urgent issue before more devastation can happen! Identifying the cause of flooding will save not only money but also time.
Take a video or pictures of everything before you start removing the floodwater to clean up your home. Documenting the damage done by the flooding is crucial for insurance claims. Make sure that every single picture and video has been turned in and appropriately documented. Take photos of all items affected by water – warped walls, floors with cracks from excess pressure on them- anything else damaged will help validate your claim!
Once you have all the necessary documents ready, call your insurance provider and inform them about the incident. Your company will then send an adjuster to inspect the damage and evaluate losses.
When a natural disaster strikes, it is essential to know what you are doing if your home floods. Not only will the water damage quickly destroy furniture and other items in the house, but it can also cause health problems for anyone who may be living there as well. Luckily though, professional water restoration contractors like 1800 Damage have been trained on how to handle these types of situations because they happen so often from strong storms or flooding due to burst pipes or leaks that cannot be fixed immediately.
Source: 1800 Damage
