Few things cause as much devastation as a flooding disaster. Besides causing damage to properties, a flood catastrophe could trigger loss of lives. After the damage has been done, however, a restoration process must be done quickly and professionally to preserve what is left behind. If a flood damage repair process is delayed for a few days, severe issues could arise. Mould could start growing on fabrics and carpets while wooden floors could decompose and crack. While you could attempt to restore your home personally, the process could be too difficult and dangerous to try. It would be much easier to call a team of flood damage specialists to try and bring back your home to its previous condition.
Beware of black water
The most perilous type of water damage is black water. It can be caused by a flood from a heavy rain or a fault in the sewage system. Black water may have poisonous elements like industrial chemicals, bacterial infections, insecticides and much more. As an ordinary homeowner, you cannot tell whether you have black water damage or any other type. Therefore it is advisable to get in touch with a competent professional who can inspect your house and carry out the disinfecting procedure. Homeowners should never attempt to handle black water damage alone, as it can be very hazardous if done unprofessionally.
What to do after a flood has entered your home
Needless to mention, the very first action you should take in the event of a flood disaster is to save your life (if you can). As soon as the area is declared less dangerous, you could come back to your house and try to inspect the extent of water damage. Prior to entering the house, you should turn off the electricity to reduce your danger of electrocution. Look for the main fuse box and turn off power. If you are afraid of electricity, look for an electrician to handle the task. In case there is an electric fault, chances are that you will see frayed cables, sparks or any other sign. There could be smell of gas leaks too, or snakes in the rubble. It is good to check whether your home’s foundation has been tampered with. If you notice a few cracks anywhere near the foundation of the building or damages to the roof, leave the property immediately to avoid unnecessary accidents. It would be wiser to find a flood damage repair expert to inspect the entire building and decide how the remaining items can be salvaged.
Flood damage restoration process
After finding out that your home’s destruction is beyond your abilities you should not stand and watch helplessly. Delay could cause irreversible damages to your precious furniture, carpet, personal belongings and the house itself. Instead of watching in pain, as your home floods, take the most practicable action. If the water damage to your home seems minimal, you could attempt to save some possessions as soon as possible. On the other hand if the destruction seems massive and far-reaching, the most practical thing to do would be to call a specialist to control the situation.
When water damage is extensive it affects the drywall, concrete or wooden walls and the drainage system. Professionals are better than amateurs when it comes to a dangerous and difficult flood damage repair project. They can do the project to perfection much faster than you as they have all the necessary knowledge, expertise and equipment. First, they will measure the degree of your flood damage with their meters, infrared cameras and moisture detectors. Then, based on their result, your technicians will extract water with either a truck-mounted pump or a gas-powered pump. After this they will remove your damp carpet avoiding any serious tears in the process. Using large fans the sub flooring will be dried while water absorption into other surfaces will be delayed with dehumidifiers.
Final word
If you take up to three days to seek professional help, mould will begin to grow on damp surfaces. And as soon as the mould starts growing it can be hard to remove, exposing people to health problems. Throwing away damp things such as mattresses, carpets or clothes will not be enough. Flooring, ceilings and walls may need to be dismantled to remove and treat areas of water saturation with special detergents.