A flooded house can be a difficult situation to deal with. Flooding can lead to water damage that ends up causing you significant property loss. When you do find yourself in this situation, it is important to know what to do. At ServiceMaster Fire & Water Damage Restoration, we are the Lexington, KY area leader in water damage restoration services and we have put together some important information that will help you to address the situation correctly if your house floods. We have also included a handy checklist that can help you to stay on track when dealing with a flood at your home.
How Do You Get Flood Water Out of Your House?
There are a variety of ways that flood water can get into your house. It could come from natural water sources such as flooded bodies of water. It can also come from burst pipes and overflows from sinks and toilets. Sewer backups are another source that can lead to flooding in the home. Regardless of how the flood water got into your house the steps that you need to take to get it out remain essentially the same.
Before you take any action related to the removal of water from your house, you need to consider the flood source. If the water came from a burst pipe then it is considered to be clean water. When the flooding came from sources such as overflown toilets, sewer backups, and natural flooding, you start entering into the realm of grey and black water. These sources represent a health hazard and can carry dangerous pathogens and parasites. You should always utilize the services of trained water damage professionals when you are facing flooding from these sources.
In terms of getting the flood water out of your house, it is important to act quickly. Some of the steps that you should take include:
- Take photos so that you have documentation of the flooding’s full extent
- Use buckets to scoop up standing water
- The use of a wet-dry vacuum or a sump pump is one of the most effective ways to quickly get the flood water out of your house
- Use a mop and towels to soak up the water
- Open your windows up to promote good ventilation
- Use fans and dehumidifiers to assist in the drying process
- Bring in our water damage restoration professionals here at ServiceMaster Fire & Water Damage Restoration.
How Long Does It Take for a House to Dry Out After a Flood?
When asking the question what do you do when your house floods you are also going to want to know how long it will take for your house to dry out after it has been flooded. Typically speaking, it takes anywhere from 24 hours to 72 hours to dry out a house after a flood has occurred. The overall drying time can depend on the size of your home and the extent of the flooding. Drying time is also dependent on the steps that you take to speed up the process.
The good news is that many items can be salvaged and spared from mold if you get them dried out within 48 hours. This fact adds emphasis to the importance of taking quick action. Getting air moving around your house is one of the best ways to speed up the process. You can do this naturally by opening up your windows and doors. You can also open up all of the interior doors in your home as well as closets and cabinets. Removing your drawers can also help. You can also move air around mechanically by using fans around your home. Other steps that you can take include the use of a dehumidifier. You also want to remove all furniture, rugs, and clothing outside and into the sun if possible.
Checklist of What Do You Do When Your House Floods
This checklist is designed to help you in answering the question of what do you do when your house floods.
- Cut off the source of the flood water if possible
- Turn off your home’s electricity and gas
- Evacuate all occupants of your home
- Give us a call here at ServiceMaster Fire & Water Damage Restoration
- If you are a homeowner, contact your insurance company
- If you are a renter, contact your landlord
- Document the extent of the flooding and all property damage
- Quickly begin the process of water removal and water damage restoration
- Take steps to prevent further damage from the growth of mold and mildew
How Does Flooding Damage a House?
There are a lot of types of damage that flooding can cause to your house. The damage that flood water can cause in the home include:
- Electrical system damage
- Structural damage
- Appliance damage
- Furniture damage
- Clothing damage
- Damage that results from the growth of mold and mildew
The fact that flood damage can lead to all of these instances of property loss help to reinforce the point that it is important for you to act quickly after flooding has occurred at your home. Hiring professional water damage restoration professionals is the most effective and efficient way to quickly take action after a flood.
What Should You Do If Your House Is Flooded?
If your house has been flooded, you can be left dealing with a lot of powerful emotions. You can also find yourself unsure what to do next. The information that we have presented here should prove helpful to you if you find yourself in a situation where your home has been flooded. The most effective step that you can take after a flood is to give our flood damage experts a call here at ServiceMaster Fire & Water Restoration Services. We are the Lexington and Louisville, KY area leader in providing water damage restoration services and can quickly respond to your location if your home has been flooded. You can reach us at (859) 309-9964 or you can leave a message for us through our website. No one wants to find themselves dealing with a flooded house, but our team is here to help when this situation arises.
