Few things can make a property owner feel more helpless than the risk of an external flood and the potential damage caused. If your home or business is affected by a flood, it’s vitally important that you take quick action to minimize the damage and ensure the property is made safe once again.
When it comes to flood damage, it’s important to remember that there are numerous potential health hazards. Flood water, often known as Category 3 or "black water," can contain many contaminants and, as a result, any cleanup is best handled by a professional team. This initial flood damage must also be repaired and restored as quickly as possible in order to minimize the overall damage caused.
Flood Restoration In The Immediate Aftermath
From the moment your property is affected by flood water, you should act swiftly to minimize the potential lasting effects of this flood damage. Flood restoration is the process of removing the water, decontaminating the property, and making it safe for repairs. There are several steps you can take in the aftermath of a flood to limit the risks:
- Before flood waters hit, should you be afforded the time, try to move any furniture and valuable possessions from the ground. This will reduce the chances of them being irreparably damaged by flood waters.
- Due to the number of contaminants in flood water, ensure that everyone leaves the property and seeks safe refuge. Flood water can be hazardous and there’s a high risk of it making you sick.
- If it’s safe to do so, try to turn off electricity and gas. This will limit the risk of gas leaks or electrical charges in the water.
It’s important that all work carried out on a building after a flood is done by professionals who understand the damage that flood water can cause to property and have the tools to carry out full repair and restoration.
The Flood Damage Restoration Process
Once the flood waters have begun to recede from your property, a professional clean up team like BELFOR will be able to begin the flood damage restoration process. There are several steps that will be followed in order to fully restore your property:
- Pump out any water and assess the damage left by the flooding.
- Safely remove and dispose of any furnishings and contents that are damaged beyond repair.
- Clean and decontaminate the building to remove any potential environmental, chemical, and/or biological contaminants left by the flood water.
- Check the building for any structural damage that could cause potential hazards either now or in the future.
- The property will be completely dried and dehumidified to ensure that no residual water remains – if left untreated, this could lead to further damage including a build-up of mold.
It’s also a good idea to have a plumber, electrician, and gas engineer check each of these services before resuming normal use. Floods have the potential to cause severe disruption to all utilities, so it’s best to be safe before continuing use.
Post-Flood Damage Repair and Future Prevention
Getting your property back to its original state after a flood can be a long and difficult process, but with the help of a professional team it can be done and your home or business can be back up and running in no time.
Once the cleaning and drying part of the flood damage restoration has been completed, it might be time to look at putting measures in place to avoid flooding in the future. This can include various methods, such as the installation of new drainage systems and waterproof membranes on the floor and walls. This type of installation can be useful, although it wouldn’t necessarily help in the event of a hurricane or river flood.
After your property has been affected by flood waters, it’s important to keep an eye out for any potential long-term issues. Mold is a sign of moisture within a property, so recognizing the signs of this is important. Our mold damage section will tell you everything you need to know.
If you’ve been affected by flood damage and need to get in touch with BELFOR about our professional water damage cleanup and services, you can find the details here.