FACE YOUR WORST WORRIES AND LEARN WHAT TO DO IF YOUR HOUSE FLOODS
Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions is a licensed contractor with over 25 years of experience in residential waterproofing works, ready to help you know what to do if your house floods.
Basement waterproofing contractors are often called to salvage and repair the structure of a home badly affected by flooding. Knowing what to do if your house floods can make a huge difference if you want to prevent another disaster from happening.
You can salvage lots of items of monetary or sentimental value, limit the damage to the foundation and walls of your home, and prevent the development and spreading of mold throughout your home – one of the worst consequences of a flood. In this article, we will give you actionable tips to help you know what to do after a flood in your house while ensuring that you and your family are safe.
WHAT TO DO IF THERE’S A FLOOD?
Floods cannot always be predicted by weather forecasts. This is why many homeowners have very little time available to remove valuable furniture and items from the house and take them to a safe place. When water rushes in, all you can do is grab your children and pets and take them to higher ground, to safety.
Once it is safe to return to your home, you need to act quickly if you want to reduce damage to your home as much as possible. But how do you clean your house after a flood and make sure that its structure is in good condition? This is what you need to do, in this precise order:
Once it is safe to return to your home, you need to act quickly if you want to reduce damage to your home as much as possible. But how do you clean your house after a flood and make sure that its structure is in good condition? This is what you need to do, in this precise order:
USE PROTECTIVE GEAR BEFORE ENTERING YOUR HOME
Flood water is very different from tap water. It contains bacteria, dead animals, feces, and many other hazardous substances. You should avoid contact with your skin as much as possible. Thus, before you walk in the water in the house, you should put on hip-high rubber boots and protective gloves, as well as wear goggles. Carry a flashlight and do not attempt to use the light switches.
In fact, you should not put a foot inside your home before turning off the electricity. This is the first thing to do after water flooding in the house.
In fact, you should not put a foot inside your home before turning off the electricity. This is the first thing to do after water flooding in the house.
DOCUMENT THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME AND BELONGINGS
Before you remove any item from the house, take pictures and videos of the entire damaged area, from the basement to the first floor. This is the only way of filing a successful claim with your insurance company. They need to assess the extent of damage to your house and to various items you include in the claim. If you don’t know what to do when your house floods, and you start removing items before taking photos of the damage, your claim may be denied.
CALL A WATERPROOFING CONTRACTOR TO REMOVE WATER FROM THE HOUSE
Once your insurance company received the photos of the damage, they may send a representative to assess the damage or give you the green light to start mitigating your damages. You can now deal with the water in the house.
To do so, call an experienced basement waterproofing contractor to bring a powerful sump pump, which will remove water from the house in a short time.
REMOVE DRYWALL AND CARPETS
Carpets and drywall imbibed with water are festering ground for mold. In general, mold will develop within 24 to 48 hours after a flood. So, what to do if there’s a flood in your house? Once the water is removed, take out the drywall and the carpets. The drywall will not be salvaged, of course, but it is important to remove it in order to prevent mold from growing on the walls.
As for the carpets, the cost of professional cleaning can be quite high, so consider if they are worth salvaging. Unfortunately, large pieces of wooden furniture that are saturated with water cannot be saved.
As for the carpets, the cost of professional cleaning can be quite high, so consider if they are worth salvaging. Unfortunately, large pieces of wooden furniture that are saturated with water cannot be saved.
SAFEGUARD YOUR HOME
Last on the list of what to do when your house floods: make sure that your house is protected from further damage and from intruders. Your insurer may refuse to pay the damages to your property if you do not:
- Put a tarpaulin over a broken roof
- Board up doors and windows
- Stop utilities, especially gas and electricity.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR HOUSE FLOODS AND YOU DON’T HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE?
How do you clean your house after a flood and fix whatever is damaged if you do not have flood insurance? According to various statistics, a little over 15% of US homeowners have such insurance. However, government assistance is available to you, through the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
So, this is what to do when your house floods. You can apply to the SBA for a low-interest loan that covers:
- Maximum $200,000 to repair or rebuild your home
- Maximum $40,000 to replace damaged property(furniture, home appliances)
- Maximum $200,000 to refinance your mortgage loan.
WE KNOW WHAT TO DO AFTER A FLOOD IN YOUR HOUSE
At Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions, we have over 25 years of experience in residential waterproofing works and helping homeowners recover after water flooding in the house. Contact us today to learn more about our flood damage repair services that we offer to various service areas in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, including the following cities:
- Horsham
- Jenkintown
- Fort Washington
- Wyndmoor
- Berwyn
- West Chester
- Springfield
- Glenolden
- Havertown
- Ardmore
- Media
- Philadelphia
- Pottstown
- Drexel Hill
- Downington
- Norristown
- King of Prussia
- Wayne
