Flooding can happen at any time. Excessive rain, hurricanes, and other natural disasters may cause flooding. However, burst water mains and pipes under your home may cause your home to flood as well. When this occurs there are certain factors that need to be assessed in order to understand the damage that has been done and how to repair the damages as well as possible. Here is a complete checklist to go through if your home has been affected by flooding.
Call for Help: As soon as possible, contact a flood repair company for help. There are several companies that provide support around the clock, so call them and have a technician come to the home as quickly as possible. Make sure to ask them to bring official documentation to ensure you are dealing with somebody reputable.
Turn the electricity off: go to the fuse box and turn off all the electricity. This is the first safety precaution you should take.
Stop the water: place sandbags around the exterior of the home and try to stop any more water from coming in. If the damage is caused by a leaking pipe, shut off the water valve to stop it from continuing to pour into the home.
Move valuables to higher levels: try to move all the furniture and other valuables of the home up to the highest area possible. If you live in a one-story home without a basement, consider contacting a storage company to come and remove the furniture from the house until it has a chance to dry out. If the furniture has already sustained water damage, then it may not be able to be stored as it is at risk of mould and mildew.
Extract the water: The next step is to remove the water from the home. This process should be completed by a professional to ensure all the water is removed. Any area that has been impacted by the flooding will need to be dried, and these companies have the appropriate equipment to complete these tasks.
Removal: It is likely that there will be some items that cannot be salvaged. If this is the case, remove these items and have them disposed of appropriately. A professional flood repair company will be able to help you determine which items may be saved and which ones cannot.
Repair and clean your carpets: There is going to be a number of different areas that will need to be repaired and cleaned. Kitchen cabinets, floors, walls, and furniture will usually be affected by flooding and will need to be repaired appropriately. Your carpet and flooring is one important area. Companies like Bright Aire Carpet Cleaning can help with this.
Document: Make sure that you keep a running document of all the damage and repairs completed. Once you have documented the damage, leave the home and find somewhere else to stay.
Call your Insurance Company: If you have a flood insurance policy, call the company and ask for assistance in submitting a claim.
If you follow these steps, you will have done your best to assess the damage and the repairs that need to be completed after a flood. For more information on flood repairs on the Sunshine Coast, call Bright Aire Carpet Cleaners today!
