A large house flood is always a time of instability; houses get destroyed, and routines get interrupted. This is all the truer when your house experiences flooding. After the waters recede, you will want to get everything back to the way it was before disaster struck. However, in your haste to get everything back to normal, you may actually be putting yourself and your household in greater danger. This is why you need to know what to do after a flood.

In this article, we will share with you a checklist for what you should be doing in the aftermath of a flood. Keep on reading to find out more.

1. Stay away from your home until you get it checked

Evacuating from your home can cause anxiety because you would be concerned about its security. You might also wonder about the extent of water damage on your property. However, it is vital that you don’t go back home right after the rain dies down.

Stay away from your home, and don’t enter it until you have been cleared to do so by the experts. This is because re-entering your house without protective gear exposes you to safety hazards. Live wires that come in contact with floodwaters can cause electrocution, and the water itself can be a breeding ground for waterborne diseases.

1. Tell your home insurance agent the details of the damages

Once you are cleared to go home, you must gather all the information about the damage to your home. Take photos of the damaged areas and compile these for your insurance provider. If you don’t inform your agent as soon as possible, it might delay your home restoration process.

In the event of a large storm hitting a residential area or a major water leak, know that there will be plenty of people in your situation. For this reason, you will need to get your documents processed early so that you don’t get caught up in the brunt of people getting their insurance payments cleared.

1. Refrain from doing repairs by yourself

Keep in mind that the restoration process should be done only by experts. It is very tempting to tear down and replace a water damaged wall. However, DIY procedures focus on the immediate problem and do not take the whole home into consideration. By implementing one DIY measure, you might be causing disrepair on another part of your home.

Leaving your repairs to professionals ensures that you are able to make the right changes to your home, and it also keeps your warranties intact. Professionals will be able to suggest ways of preventing future flood water damage to your home as well.

The dangers of untreated water damage

Untreated damages, even when small, can be a source of larger structural disrepair. When your home gets flooded, you run the risk of allergic reactions and mold exposure. Pests like rats and mice can also slip through cracks left by water damage, leaving you with an infestation and even more health and safety concerns.

Untreated water damage also brings financial consequences. The longer your repairs are on hold, the higher your expenses will be in restoration. Furthermore, if you don’t inform your insurance provider about the damage, you might miss the window of your claim’s validity.

Conclusion

The emotional and financial costs of getting your home destroyed by a flood can be overwhelming. However, you should not take home repairs on by yourself. Aside from your home insurance agent, be sure to inform a flood restoration expert immediately.

Flooding specialists are experienced in evaluating homes with water damage. When you let a flood restoration professional look at your property, you can be sure you’ll get quality repairs and sound advice.

If you are looking for flood restoration professionals in Salt Lake City, get in touch with us today. We are a locally owned and operated, EPA Certified firm, and we will be happy to answer your questions and service requests.