Typically after a flood, the authorities decide when it is safe for the residents to return home. The flooding might have been caused by an overflowing river, heavy downpours, or groundwater seeping out. The floodwaters would contain a lot of debris in the form of loose soil, stones, broken tree limbs, animal carcasses, sewage, broken glass, and other such things.
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The organic debris rots in the water, releasing harmful toxins, while the heavier detritus causes physical damage to man and buildings. In addition, the sewage and other refuse promote bacterial and fungal growth, developing into a water-borne epidemic.
So it is essential to enlist flood restoration services as soon as feasible. Floodwaters can be very harmful not just to the environment of the house but to human health too. Moreover, after staying submerged for days in floodwaters, the house's interior will have proficient water damage that would need a heavy-duty inspection and review.
Steps to take after a flood
- Switch off the utilities like gas and electricity to avoid any explosions and short circuits.
- Protective gear like overalls, gloves, face shields, and heavy boots should be worn to mitigate the harmful effects of dirty water.
- Document/photograph all the damage as that would help settle insurance claims.
- Stagnant pools of water must be immediately pumped out. Most susceptible areas like the basement and the crawl space under the house must undergo a thorough water extraction process.
- All electrical appliances and gadgets must be checked by an electrical contractor who would ensure that these are safe to use.
- Same with HVAC equipment, as there could be broken and damaged parts. Not to mention dirt and debris collected inside the system.
- Drywalls must be taken down to assess the damage as the plaster and foam are highly porous and absorb a lot of water.
- The openings in the structure caused by broken window panes and roof tiles must be boarded up to prevent wild animals from entering the home.
- Floors must be entirely ripped out as the wood would have started to rot and warp due to being submerged underwater for days.
- The house's structural stability is circumspect under the effects of water submersion for days on end. It would be wise to use additional support for a few days to avoid collapses.
- Carpets, furniture, personal belongings, artwork, accessories, and bedding must be removed from the premises and aired outside the house. Most of it would need to be discarded, but some could be re-used, depending on the condition.
- Gardens and decks must be cleared of debris, broken plants, planters, garden furniture, and other things.
- Trees near the boundary line could have significant damage that could cause secondary damage. So these must be inspected for any listing due to loosened roots that might cause them to fall later.
- Pylons and high tension wires must be checked because they could cause a lot of damage to life and property if ignored.
- The boundary wall and fencing around the property might have been uprooted or damaged by the flood waters, leading to openings. This could cause a security risk and must be addressed quickly.
- Outhouses like the garage, garden store, and others, should also be thoroughly inspected to check for flood damage.
The best thing to do after flood damage is to call in the experts like the American Restoration Professionals, who would do a thorough job of flood damage restoration services and put the house back together to its former glory.
Why American Restoration Professionals?
American Restoration Professionals are a total service water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, and disaster restoration company in Stoughton, MA. They provide their clients with the best possible home services experience through their well-trained and accomplished team of professionals through:
- A quick quote
- local service technicians
- expertise in residential and commercial projects
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They are well stocked with modern equipment and machinery for water extraction and thoroughly drying the home.
Call American Restoration Professionals at (617) 945-4510 or email us at dan@americanresotationprofessionals.com to get a speedy response to your troubles.
