Flood Repairs

Not even a fire can cause as much harm to your home as that inflicted by a flood.  Flood waters are unbelievably strong, and major flood conditions can literally shift a home or business on its foundations, causing tremendous damage and rendering it virtually uninhabitable.

Floods may be the result of severe weather, resulting in waters that gradually rise over time.  Or they may cause flash flooding, which can form in a matter of minutes and ravage the countryside with little or no advanced warning to those in its path.  Floods occur at any time of year, in every part of the country, and cause enormous damage to life and property.

Flood repairs are a process that should begin as soon as flood waters have receded.  Water has the amazing ability to not only cause damage on a large scale, but to continue to cause damage for as long as it is allowed to stand in a given area.  Left untreated, flood waters will cause metal to rust and wood to rot, weakening structural members and making structures prone to collapse. 

In addition, standing water left untreated may also provide a breeding ground for mold and other toxins.  Mold establishes itself rapidly, spreads like wildfire, and is usually quite difficult to remove.  It can also be the cause of any number of health issues, from the slight to the severe.  Mold remediation should be undertaken by a qualified professional.

Before any flood repairs can begin however, it is important to check the flooded structure for stability.  As mentioned earlier, flood waters can actually shift a building on its foundation, increasing the chances for a collapse.  Make sure the building is structurally sound before entering, lest you find it coming down around you.

Shut off all electricity to the structure.  Water and electricity make strange bedfellows.  Do this even if the power has been knocked out.  The electricity will come surging back on at some point and you don’t need that to happen when you are standing ankle deep in flood water.

Wear protective clothing, waterproof boots and gloves, and protective eye wear.  You may also wish to utilize a filtration mask or better yet a respirator to protect yourself from harmful fumes or mold spores.

Make proper documentation of the damage; this will prove to be as good as gold when dealing with your insurance company.  An inventoried list is always good, but photographs or a video record can also be most helpful.

All loose items, furniture, and electrical appliances will need to be removed.  They can be cleaned elsewhere.  Appliances will need to be checked out by a qualified electrician before further use.  In addition, the electrical system and HVAC will also need to be approved by a licensed professional before any further use.

Excess water will need to be extracted from the residence.  Use gas powered submersible pumps for this purpose.  Don’t pump the water out too quickly, as sudden pressure changes can cause walls to collapse.

Open all doors and windows, and use high velocity fans to get as much air moving as possible.  This will get rid of any residual moisture.  A digital moisture meter can tell you when levels are back to normal.

Do not attempt any further flood repairs until all surfaces are completely dry.  Failure to do so will result in the propagation of molds and other toxins.

For assistance with your flood repairs, contact your local water damage and flood repair company.