Have you ever thought about what to do if your house floods?
While a flooding emergency might seem like something that will never happen, homeowners all over the country have to deal with the aftermath of an unexpected flood. Although a flooded home may seem rare, statistics show 98% of basements in America experience some type of water damage.
Your home can flood for several reasons, including leaky or broken water pipes, malfunctioning appliances, and improper drainage. Depending on where you live, you can also experience flooding from extreme weather conditions.
Finding your home filled with water can be a stressful experience but dealing with the aftermath can be even worse. You have to minimize the damage, dry out your home, and start the process of remodeling. If you don’t take the right steps, in the right order, you can end up with a moldy mess that is not safe to live in. If you want to know how to prevent mold in basement, feel free to consult Premiere Restoration in Mankato
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Fortunately, by creating a plan of action, you can be proactive after experiencing a flood. If you are wondering what to do if your house floods, this short and simple guide is for you.
Stop the Flow Water
The first step to take after a flood is to stop the flow of water. The best way to stop the flow of water is to turn off the main water valve to your home. If you are experiencing a flood due to weather conditions, do your best to seal or block the flow of water.
Turn Off the Electricity
If you’re wondering what to do when your house floods, one of the first things is to turn off the electricity. This is essential for keeping yourself and your family safe. If you have to walk through water to turn off the electricity, contact an electrician for help.
Leave the Property
Once you have stopped the flow of water and turned off the electricity, you might need to leave your home. Floods are dangerous because the water can be filled with contaminants. This can result in the development of serious health issues for you and your family.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Once you are safely out of your home, you need to contact your flood insurance company. Inform your insurance company that you have experienced a home flood and initiate the flood claim process.
Pay attention to their instructions, as taking matters into your own hands can result in the denial of your claim. If you are not getting any help from your insurance company, consider contacting a law firm, such as pandit law.
Begin Documenting
Once you have completed the first steps, you need to start documenting everything that happened. Documentation is often an important part of your insurance claim, lawsuit, and more. Take photos, notes, and videos to document every step you take after the flood.
Take Stock of Your Finances
If you are part of the 69% of American adults with only $1000 in savings, you might have a problem funding your renovation. Although your insurance policy should cover all of your damages, chances are, it won’t. Consider taking stock of your finances to see what you can afford.
Consider Applying For Financial Assistance
If you realize you cannot afford a renovation, consider applying for assistance. Depending on the circumstances of your flood, you might qualify for FEMA or another disaster assistance program. If you qualify for one or more of these programs, make sure to apply right away.
Get an Inspection
Re-entering your home after a flood can be dangerous for many reasons. To make sure you are as safe as possible, schedule a home inspection before entering. A home inspector will give you advice on the best way to clean, dry, and drain your home so it is safe to enter and live in.
Start the Clean-up Process
Once you know the best practices for cleaning up, the next step to take after a house flood is to start the clean-up process. You need to remove the water, dry the area, and clean your home. Make sure you follow all safety precautions and wear protective gear when cleaning the flooded areas of your home.
Hire a Reputable Contractor
Depending on the extent of the damage, you might need to hire a contractor to help you restore and renovate your home. While a contractor can more than useful, all contractors are not created equally. Look for someone well-established, has a proven track record, positive ratings and reviews, and charges reasonable rates.
Get Permits
The work you do in your home will likely need to be permitted. For this reason, you and/or your contractor need to obtain all the permits you need to properly repair and restore your home.
While it might seem unnecessary to get permits just to repair your home, unpermitted work can affect your mortgage, result in fines, and give you problems if you ever decide to sell. To protect your interests, make sure you obtain permits for all of your work.
Be Patient
Ultimately, practicing patience can help with all the emotions that come with dealing with the aftermath of a flood. You might feel frustrating from being displaced, confused about the process, worried about the financial side, and more. While it can be difficult, try to stay as patient as possible and know that one day you will be back in your newly renovated home.
This Is What to Do If Your House Floods
By reading this guide, you will know what to do if your house floods.
Your priority is to make sure you and your family are safe. Next, contact your insurance company so you can get started on repairing and restoring your home. Make sure to hire a reputable contractor, get the right permits, and be patient during the restoration process.
Follow these tips to calmly and efficiently deal with the aftermath of a home flood.
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