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House Flood Answers
After a flood, you’re probably left with more questions than
answers, and you’re being inundated with flood damage advice, some of which, if
taken, could actually make a bad situation worse. Here are the answers to some of the most
pressing questions.
Am I insured?
Not necessarily. Most
homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood related events. You will need to add flood coverage as an
addendum to your policy
What do I do first?
Shut off all electricity and gas to your home. Do not attempt to re-enter without first
checking to verify that the structure is stable. Flood waters make buildings prone to
collapse. Wear protective clothing,
waterproof boots and gloves, and protective eyewear.
So much water! How do
I handle it?
First, remove all loose items, electrical appliances, and
furniture. They can be cleaned up and
repaired elsewhere.
You’ll need to pump out the excess water using gas powered submersible
pumps or wet dry vacs. Be sure to drain
the water as far from your home as possible, preferably through a sink or
drainage vent.
Once the excess is gone, open all windows and doors and use
high velocity fans to circulate air and remove any residual moisture. This may take a few days of continuous
drying. Carpets will need to be taken
up, dried, cleaned, and disinfected.
Ditto for the flooring underneath.
All surfaces should be completely dry before any further repairs are
made.
This sounds like more than I can handle with my Sears socket
and wrench kit! Is there anybody I can
call to do the work?
Your local IICRC certified water restoration company is
available 24/7 to serve all of your house flood or other water damage
needs. Call them for a free estimate.
