Emergency Flood Repair Tips

There are a few steps you can take to prepare for an emergency flood. Following these tips will help avoid further damage and minimize the time it takes to get back into your home after flooding.

First and foremost, inspect your home for safety issues. This includes checking for structural damage as well as electrical troubles.

1. Identify the Source of the Water

Before beginning emergency flood repair work, it's essential to identify the source of water. Doing this will prepare you for any hazards or potential health concerns associated with flooding.

To check if ft water meter is functioning properly, look at the meter in your front yard. You'll see a red flow-indicator triangle at the top of it.

If the water in your sink or toilet is moving, you have a leak. If it's not moving, there may be an obstruction in the drainage system or sewage line.

Once you've identified the leak, it is imperative to turn off the water immediately. Doing so will prevent further harm to your property.

Your home's water shutoff valve is typically found in your basement, garage or near the main water heater unit. It's essential to know where this valve is in case you need to quickly turn off the water supply.

With a wrench or shutoff tool, turn the water valve clockwise until it's completely off. Doing this is essential as any further water will continue to seep into your home.

If water is seeping into your home via the sewer system, immediately shut off the sewage line. Doing so will prevent backups into toilet or shower bowl.

Once the sewage has been eliminated, you can start to assess the damages in your home. This will enable you to decide if evacuation is necessary or if it's safe for you to return.

It's essential to inspect your home for any structural damage and other safety concerns that require professional assessment. Once these have been taken care of, you can move forward with emergency flood repairs.

When beginning the cleaning process, make sure all of the appropriate safety gear is worn - such as gloves, boots and a mask. Additionally, keep a first aid kit handy in case any injuries do arise during the cleansing process.

2. Turn Off the Water

If you believe a pipe has broken, your water heater has overheated, or another plumbing issue has caused the flood, the first step you should take is shut off your main water supply. This can be done either through the shut-off valve located near your meter or one of many stop taps throughout your home.

Once the water is off, you should also unplug all electrical appliances. Water serves as a conductor of electricity and could pose an electrical hazard to you or anyone standing nearby.

Next, locate a circuit breaker box or electrical panel and disable all circuits in the affected area. Doing this will stop electricity flow in that room until you can contact an electrician to inspect your system.

Finally, take any essential and beloved items up off the ground or to an upper level of your home. Doing this will keep them out of any flooding water damage and help protect them.

When possible, move electrical devices to higher locations in your house. Be cautious not to walk or drive through flood waters as this could pose an electrocution hazard.

According to the severity of the flood, you may need to evacuate your home. If so, follow instructions from local authorities and take steps against any stray animals that could enter into your property.

Once you're safely inside your home, you can begin the restoration process by cleaning up any flooded areas and discarding wet items. While this may seem like a daunting task at first glance, remain calm and keep going forward.

3. Turn Off the Electricity

When dealing with flood damage, the first step must be to shut off water and electricity. This can be especially crucial when there are electrical appliances in the home and flooding caused by plumbing leaks or gas lines.

Switching off the electricity can be a crucial step in avoiding electrocution, as water is an excellent conductor of electricity and could easily result in fatal accidents. Therefore, it's best to stay off until all flood cleanup and repair work has been completed.

Usually, the most convenient way to turn off electricity in a house is through the main breaker located at the service panel. This box, also referred to as a breaker box, contains breakers for each circuit in your residence.

If you need assistance shutting off the power, ask an electrician or contact your local utility company. They can turn off the electricity at the meter and, if it is safe, in your home.

Once you have safely turned off the electricity, it is wise to move any electrical appliances or devices out of your home to higher locations until they can be taken apart and cleaned. Doing this helps minimize any further potential damage due to wet objects or mold growth.

Before plugging electrical appliances back in, it is essential to ensure they are properly grounded. Mud or dirt in an outlet or adapter can disrupt the grounding system and lead to malfunctioning of these appliances.

Before beginning any electrical projects in your home, always consult a licensed electrician to inspect the wiring for damage caused by flooding. Having an electrician come out to your residence after flooding can help avoid further damages caused by wet electrical equipment.

4. Remove Wet Items

If possible, move all wet items like furniture and electronics to a dry area. You can do this in your garage or other dry parts of your home like the basement or laundry room; doing this helps limit water damage that water can cause.

Once all the wet items have been cleared away, you can begin cleaning up the mess. Do this quickly as any excess moisture could lead to mold growth and other health hazards.

Before you begin any cleaning, disinfect and sterilize any dishes, bowls and other items affected by floodwater. Doing this will prevent bacteria or viruses from spreading and help remove any mildew spores that have formed.

It's also wise to disinfect any electronics or other items damaged by floodwater. Doing so will prevent them from causing further issues and make it simpler for you to get your electronics up and running quickly.

You can also store away any wet clothing that has been affected by flooding. Doing so can help avoid potential health issues from developing and keep the clothes dry and clean.

Once all the wet items in your home have been cleared away, you can begin to put things back together again. Be sure to take pictures and record everything so that if necessary, you can file a claim with your insurance company.

It is wise to discard any carpets or wooden floors that have been saturated in floodwater, as these can be difficult to clean and may have even sustained damage if left submerged.

5. Clean the Area

Floods are one of the most frequent natural disasters to strike homes. Not only can they destroy furniture, appliances and other belongings; but they may also pose health risks and create other issues if not dealt with promptly.

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may be able to clean up the area yourself or hire a professional. Either way, it's essential that you do the work correctly in order to prevent further harm or need for flood repair in the future.

Start by scanning the situation from a safe distance to make sure there are no hazards like sewage, pollution, obstacles or sharp objects in the water. Wear rubber boots, gloves and a mask (a respirator) to protect your eyes and nose while cleaning or handling wet items.

Next, attempt to dry out as much of the flood damage as possible - including furniture and portable items. Do this with dehumidifiers and air movers.Additionally, you can attempt to salvage as many of the items damaged by the flood as possible.

Take pictures of all damaged items to keep a record for yourself or your insurance provider. This will enable you to decide whether something should be saved or thrown away.

Additionally, disinfect any flooded surfaces that remain wet to prevent mold and mildew growth. These pollutants are hazardous for human health and can develop within 24 to 48 hours of exposure.