If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the midst of one of life’s most stressful situations. A flood wreaks havoc on your property, as well as your sanity. Whether your home is saturated with a few inches of water or a few feet, it can be challenging to know how to respond. First Restoration Services is here to help! Use these tips to properly respond to flood damage.

Flood Damage Response Tips

A flood often falls under the category of unfathomable — until it happens. What’s worse is that indoor flooding can result form a variety of sources, including burst or broken pipes, sewage backups, appliance malfunctions, or nature. No matter the cause, these flood damage response tips will help you begin the process of reclaiming your home or business.

1. Safety is Paramount

There are quite a few aspects of flood damage that create cause for concern. Let’s discuss what you need to be aware of before taking any further steps:

Electrocution

Before you set foot back inside your property following a flood, be certain that the electricity is shut off. Whether your neighborhood has power or not, you or a certified electrician will need to manually turn off the power. Electrocution is a serious hazard and should be avoided at all costs.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Copious amounts of standing water create slippery conditions that can be disastrous for you and any occupants of the building. Use caution when navigating the space.

Bacteria, Toxins, and Other Contaminants

Floodwater carries debris, human and animal waste, trash, sewage, toxins, bacteria, and many other contaminants. Exposure to these can lead to severe illness, and as such, you will want to protect yourself. Use personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, goggles, rubber boots, and a mask to cover your skin, eyes, nose, and mouth.

2. Call a Professional Flood Restoration Company

Due to the ample threats that flooding presents, you’ll want to partner with an expert flood restoration company for the cleanup process. First Restoration Services is a trained, certified, and licensed flood damage company that has the equipment and expertise needed to recover your home.

Our crew will begin the process of floodwater removal and air circulation to start the drying process. Water-damage items will be removed and disposed of as needed, or restored as possible. Not only will we remove all moisture to prevent future mold and microbial growth, we are also able to make flood damage repairs.

3. Call Your Insurance Agent

Unfortunately, flooding is generally not covered by your average homeowner’s insurance company. Whether you have a separate flood insurance policy or not, contact your insurance agent to begin the claims process.

4. Document Damages

Due to the extensive damages and destruction that flooding causes to your property and possessions, it can be tempting to start throwing items out. However, before doing so, you’ll want to take photos and videos to document the damage. This documentation can serve as a crucial record when it comes to negotiating with the insurance adjuster.

Don’t Suffer With Flood Damage On Your Own

At FRS, we care about our customers. From your initial call to the point that we hand back over the keys after flood restoration, we attend to your every need. We hope these tips help you when you are questioning how to respond when your home is flooded. As always, contact us for 24/7 assistance!