A house flood may happen, whether you like it or not. One of the scariest emergencies that could happen to a residence is flooding. Apart from the water damage, flooding can also bring electrical and property damage to your home.

If you fall victim to a house flood, do not panic. Here’s a step-by-step instruction on what you need to do in case of a house flood.

Step 1: Look for the water source and stop it

If your house flood isn’t caused by nature, you need to find where the water is coming from. Once you find the source, turn it off or seal it up immediately. If the faucet isn’t functioning correctly, find the house’s main water valve and switch it off. As a homeowner, you should know the location of the main valve in case of emergencies.

Step 2: Turn off your electrical system

To avoid further damage and accidents, you also need to turn off the power in your home. Make sure that you don’t walk through the water when reaching for the fuse box during a house flood. If there’s no other way to turn off electricity from your location, ask the help of an electrician.

Step 3: Get out of the premises

If you’re dealing with a sewage leak or a burst pipe, have everyone, including pets, evacuate the area as soon as possible. Make sure everyone is in a dry place, safe and unhurt. That place can be as close as your backyard or a neighbor’s home.

If it’s a natural disaster you’re facing, find temporary shelter for everyone immediately. Listen to the news or approach a local authority.

Step 4: Seek help

Once you’re in a safe and dry place, call for help. If anyone needs medical assistance, call 911. Since the damage has already been done, your focus should only be after your loved ones’ well-being. Once you’ve verified that everyone is complete and unharmed, it’s time for you to call the right people to get your recovery process started.

If you are a renter, inform your landlord of what happened as soon as you can. Make sure that you always have your landlord’s contact information on your phone or stored in your car’s glove compartment.

If you own the house, call your insurance provider and inform them that your house experienced water damage. You need to clarify with them if you need to wait for a claim adjuster to visit and investigate your home first before you begin your home clean-up or repair processes.

Step 5: Keep everything documented

When someone’s house suffers from a house flood, their immediate reaction is to clean up the mess. However, before you start the cleaning, make sure that you document everything first. This step is crucial, especially when your insurance provider asks about the extent of the damage or looks for proof of the incident.

It doesn’t have to be a professional set of photographs. You can use your cell phone camera to film and take photos of the incident, but always be careful when doing it. Wear protective gear before entering the house flood and do not touch any hazardous materials inside.

Step 6: Now, start the cleaning process

This step is going to be a long and tedious process. Like in step 5, you need to wear your protective gear before proceeding with the clean-up to avoid contact with bacteria and other elements. Here’s what you should do during the cleaning process of a house flood:

• Remove the water
• Salvage any personal items you can
• Dry the space
• Disinfect all affected areas and objects

Step 7: Ensure mold won’t create any damage

The clean-up process isn’t the end of the to-do list after a flood incident. You need to make sure that mold won’t build up within the property. Black mold loves moisture, and it can bring harm to people’s health. Make sure to keep the area dry and treat potential problem areas with a strong cleaner.

Conclusion

The best thing to do is to prepare beforehand. Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, you need to read up and learn about the things you should know when accidents happen. Have a plan of where to evacuate, or research on how to prevent mold from infesting your place. Most importantly, have a list of vital contact information, including your emergency electrician or water damage repairer, in a safe space.

If you need help in flood removal, flood clean-up, or water damage restoration in Salt Lake City,

AAA Restoration Utah is your 24/7 water damage and restoration company. Contact us at (801) 263-9990 to schedule an appointment.