The First Steps In Flood Damage Cleanup

When water seeps into all parts of your home, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the mess. There are many questions to be answered and at times it can be difficult to decide where you would like to start. Although each situation with flood damage cleanup is different, there are some essential things to do, and if done, could save a lot of time and money.

The first step in flood damage cleanup is to make sure you document all of the damages. No water will only be around for so long, but to prove to your insurance company that specific items in your home were ruined by the floods and before the flood damage cleanup began, evidence is very important. If your camera has a date log in it, it is recommended to make sure the dates are correct and to stamp your pictures of the flooded areas with the date. You may then also want to write a short note to the insurance company about the flood damage cleanup that would be needed. This will help not only with insurance but could also be helpful with taxes. And, as with anything type of evidence, also keep receipts of all expenses.

Next you will want to look at the structure of the building and make sure that it is still solid and safe. Any little cracks could become big problems later on. Some of the cracks could also be caused from the force of the flood and will need to be noted before flood damage cleanup begins. Fix what you can at the moment but your insurance should cover the rest of the costs later.

The basement, being the lowest, will always be the first place to flood. If you get back into your house and there is still water in your basement you will need to pump the water out of the basement. Do not let all of it sit in the hopes it will absorb somewhere. You do not want to pump all of the water out at once, but rather do it in stages. The stages should be cut no longer than thirds so that the basement does not stay flooded for too long.

Anything that is electric will most likely be ruined if submerged in water, however, you will still want to remove everything that is electric from the house. Anything that can be salvaged from the flood should be taken to a repairman prior to the flood damage cleanup, while other things can be recycled or thrown out. When the electricity comes back to the homes, is there is anything electric that is wet when the current of electricity goes through the house, there may be more to worry about than flood damage in your home.

It is also recommend to get your water system flowing through the pipes as soon as possible. You will want to be careful while drinking this water, however, until it has all been disinfected. Sediment and pollution can get into the sewer systems in times of flooding and is not safe to digest.

During the flood damage cleanup, you'll want to wash the floors and walls before they are allowed to dry, starting at the base of the wall and working your way upward. Then they will also need to be disinfected and properly dried so that mold does not set in.

Lastly, you'll need to get some kind of a drying system put into place so that everything does not retain its wetness. It is best if you make sure that the chimney is not clogged while this is happening to assure that the air is circulating. Floods can be a scary time for everyone involved, but this little bit of knowledge on what to do will lead you a very long way.

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