Water damage is the most common cause of property loss in the US. In fact, it’s more likely than fire or theft. A flood can be devastating when you don’t know what to do about it. Here are five steps that will help you repair and restore your home quickly after a flood.
Step 1 – Determine the Cause
This may seem obvious but it needs to be said. If you’ve just had a flood then you need to make sure it wasn’t caused by something else before you get started on repairs. For example, if you suspect that your water heater has burst then call an expert immediately.
There are also other things to think about like:
– Is there a leak? (if so where?)
– Has anything been moved?
– Are animals causing the problem?
– Is there any mold growth?
– Have the walls been damaged?
– Do windows and doors have water damage?
You should use a specialist to determine the source of the problem. Don’t try to fix it yourself because you might end up doing more harm than good.
The first thing that the person can do is to go through the main reason that is responsible for the occurrence of the flood at the place. There are various service providers who are planning to provide the people with the basement flooding clean up service. The person can choose the person who will provide them quality of the services.
Step 2 – Assess the Extent of the Damage
After you’ve determined the cause of the flood, the next step is to assess how extensive the damage is. This is normally done with the help of a professional.
The first thing you’ll want to do is look at all of the affected areas. Then check for damage inside as well as outside. Check for signs of water infiltration such as wet carpet, water stains on walls and ceilings, dampness around windows and doors, discoloration of wood floors, etc.
Look at the structure of the house too. Does it feel solid or does it creak? Look at the foundation for cracks, bulges and buckled concrete slabs. Check the electrical wiring and plumbing fixtures for signs of water damage. Also, check for water damage to insulation and drywall.
Once you’re done looking around, you’ll probably decide whether or not to begin the restoration process right away. Or maybe you’ll opt to wait until some time has passed. Either way, this part of the process is very important. If you just start trying to fix everything now, you could create more problems than you solve.
Step 3 – Clean Up
It will take a lot of work to clean up a flooded home. First you’ll want to remove water from every room of the house including the attic and crawl spaces. This includes removing wet carpets and flooring, mopping up all standing water, cleaning gutters and downspouts, drying out air ducts and vents, dehumidifying, checking for mold, etc.
Then it’s time to address the structural aspects of the house. Depending on the extent of the flooding, you might need to replace shingles, siding, trim, windows and doors. You’ll also want to inspect the roof to see if any damages were sustained during the flood. After all of this is complete, it’s time to tackle the interior of the house.
Step 4 – Repair
If you’ve decided to go ahead with repairs, then you’ll need to hire professionals. There are two main options here: either you hire someone who specializes in repairing flood damage or you hire a general contractor. Either one of these options is usually better than going it alone. They know how to properly handle the situation and they know what to expect. Plus, they’re insured.
If you choose to go with a specialist, make sure that he or she has experience working in your area. It’s best to find someone who doesn’t specialize in flood damage repair.
If you choose to go with a general contractor, make sure that they have lots of experience with flood damage repair. Most companies have their own staffs of licensed contractors. So it’s best to find someone who works for them rather than going through an individual.
Finally, make sure that you hire a company that uses quality materials. Good flood damage pros will use durable products that won’t deteriorate over time and will last you many years. And they’ll only use top-quality products so you won’t have to worry about inferior replacements later on.
Step 5 – Finishing Touches
Now that you’re ready to move forward with repairs, it’s time to finish the job. Make sure that all of the areas that were affected are completely dried out. You should also address any mold that was present.
One final thing that you’ll want to do is to make sure that all of the damaged items are replaced. If you didn’t catch water damage before, you’ll definitely have to deal with it now.
Flood Water Damage: 5 Steps To Tackle The Problem Effectively
A flood can be devastating no matter how prepared you are. With the proper preparation however, you can minimize the damage and speed up the recovery process. Follow these steps and you’ll be able to get your life back to normal much faster than you thought possible.
