Groundwater, falling water, or home water system malfunctions can cause flooding in your home. No matter the cause of a flood, it is crucial to take action within the first 24 hours. Immediately employing a water damage restoration plan helps to ensure the safety of your home and family, and provides the best outcome with your insurance. Here are some of the first things to do after your home floods.

Avoid Unnecessary Risks

If the flood that caused damage to your home was severe, make sure that you stay safe upon your return. When returning to your home after a flood, check for any visible structural damage, such as warping, loosening, or cracked foundational elements. You should also contact your utility company if you suspect any damage has occurred to your water, gas, electric, or sewage lines. Ensuring that your home is structurally sound and all the utilities are functioning properly before re-entering will help prevent any unnecessary injuries or damages. Once everything is stable, water damage restoration can begin.

Take Pictures

Before you move anything or make any repairs, take pictures. Thoroughly documenting the flood damage done to your house is critical to begin water damage restoration. If you start to repair damages without recording them, you could risk a decrease in your coverage. This means potentially not being able to fully restore your house to its pre-flooding state.

Keep Your Health in Mind

Flood waters aren’t usually clean. This means that even after the water is gone, there still could be sewage or household chemicals left. When you re-enter your home after a flood, make sure to keep your health in mind. The waters that flooded your home may be carrying some nasty diseases that could seriously harm you and your family’s health. Make sure that proper safety gear such as waders, waterproof boots, and gloves are worn while water damage restoration is proceeding.

A flooding, even a major one, doesn’t mean that your home is a lost cause. One of the key elements of a successful water damage restoration is acting quickly. Don’t let flood water sit in your home, causing further damage and health problems. When water damage hits your home, contact Soil-Away Cleaning and Restoration. We are available 24/7 and are equipped with the right tools to respond to water loss immediately. For skilled, water damage restoration services contact Soil-Away Cleaning and Restoration at (603) 641-6555.