3 Steps To Take After Returning To A Flooded Home
If your home was damaged by flood water from a natural disaster, as soon as you get home, you are going to want to take some very specific steps to document the damage and begin the recovery process for your home and belongings.
#1 Protect Yourself
Flood water is not like the water that comes flowing out of your faucet. It is very dirty water that could be contaminated with oils, chemicals, and even raw sewage. When stepping into a home where flood water is still present, the first thing you need to do is protect yourself.
Ideally, you should wear knee-high waterproof boats with waders. You should wear a long sleeve top. You should have on strong sturdy gloves that will protect you and will not puncture easily.
You should also purchase a respiratory mask that will protect you against mold spores. Mold can set in and start very quickly within a flooded home. You don't want to breathe in those spores and compromise your health. Additionally, the fumes from the water and leftover waste could be harmful as well.
#2 Bring A Camera
Once you get into your home, as tempting as it may be to start scooping things up, the first thing you need to do is take pictures. These pictures will help you when you file your insurance claim for assistance and with applying for state and federal disaster relief. Take pictures from every angle that you can to show the damage.
Take pictures from the doorway of every room. Take pictures that allow you to see the entire picture of the room and take close-ups that allow you to really see the damage. Take pictures from every angle, covering the floor to the ceiling, to ensure that you able to accurately tell the story of the damage to your home.
When the flood waters recede, take additional pictures to show the damage and what happened to your home.
#3 Ventilate The Area
Next, you need to ventilate the area. This will help with the water evaporation process and it will help dry out your home. Start by opening up all exterior and then interior doors. Then move onto opening up all of the windows in the home.
After that, go through and open up all cupboards and drawers in the home. Water can get into these areas and sit. Opening them up allows an avenue for the water to actually escape and leave your home.
If the electricity is safe and has been inspected, set up some fans and turn on your air conditioning to start to get the moisture out of your home and begin the clean-up process in earnest. For more information and assistance, contact a company like Servpro Of South Elkhart County for more information and assistance.
