When your home is damaged by flood water, there are a few important steps you should take to restore your home to its pre-flood conditions. Floods can happen unexpectedly. When heavy rainfall or flash flooding happens, you should always be prepared for the worst. Take these few simple steps to be prepared after a flood hits your residential Iowa home. Call ServiceMaster by Rice for water and flood damage repair in Central Iowa.
Document the Flood Damage
Immediately following a flood, you should document all the damage by taking pictures. It is important to document the damage before you start removing any water or cleaning up. If you clean up before taking pictures, your insurance coverage could decrease.
Call Your Insurance Provider
Your insurance provider will help you determine the extent of the flooding and the amount of coverage you have. If a severe flood happens in your community, it could take your provider a few days to get back to you. In case of a flood emergency, always have your insurance provider’s contact information handy.
Turn Off Your Power
After documenting the damage and calling your insurance provider, the first thing you should do is turn off the power in areas where you will be working. Water and electricity do not mix, and to work safely your power must be turned off during the water removal and reconstruction process.
Remove Standing Water in Your Home
Make sure that your sump pump is turned on and working. If you live in an area with frequent heavy rainfall, you should get in a habit of checking on your sump pump regularly to make sure it is running and working properly.
To remove standing water in your basement you should use a wet vac. Depending how deep the water is, you might run the risk of electrocution if the water has reached your outlets. If the water is only a few inches deep, you should be able to safely remove the water safety. To avoid health hazards from contaminated water, remember to always wear waterproof protective gear. The water in your basement could contain bacteria and hazardous waste or chemicals.
Remove Damaged Property
After you remove all the water, most of your belongings will probably be water damaged. You should sort through your belongings and determine what is salvageable and what needs to be thrown away.
When your basement is filled with water, many of your belongings will probably be ruined. You should remove the damaged items before mold and mildew start to grow. Carpet and flooring will absorb a lot of the water and can be difficult to salvage. Removing your damaged carpet, flooring, and furniture should be done immediately to help prevent mold growth in your home. Photograph the damaged items so your insurance company can give you the proper coverage.
We recommend not dealing with mold on your own. A specialist will be able to detect hidden mold in the walls and remove it without it spreading to other areas of your property. Contact ServiceMaster by Rice for professional residential mold detection and removal services.
ServiceMaster by Rice Water Damage Restoration Services
Sometimes it is easier to hire a professional to do the work for you. If you are interested in hiring a local flood restoration specialist, call ServiceMaster by Rice for flood and water damage repair in Des Moines, Spencer, Carroll, Storm Lake, Fort Dodge, Cedar Rapids, Atlantic or Fairmont, Minnesota.
