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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

What to do when your house floods

12/19/2019 (Permalink)

Whether you evacuate or stay in your house during a flood event, you may not be sure what to do about standing water. Primary and secondary damage will intensify the longer water lingers in a residence. Within a matter of days, building materials may begin to corrode or rot and mold growth will become likely. These four steps will walk you through the flood damage mitigation, cleanup and restoration process starting with a call for house flooding help at the first indication of water damage.

1. Contact SERVPRO of Zanesville/Cambridge

As soon as you see signs of flooding, call SERVPRO of Zanesville/Cambridge. A certified technician will call you back to set up an appointment and connect you with nearby professionals who specialize in restoring flood damage. Flood water is contaminated and may result in more severe property damage than other types of water damage. The extent of damage will depend on how many floors of a residence are inundated.

2. Arrange for Mitigation

Mitigation describes any measures taken to limit the severity of primary and secondary damage after a flood event. Pumping out standing water is the most crucial mitigation measure that must be taken as soon as possible following a flood. Experts may recommend using different types of pumps depending on which levels of a home have flooded. 

It may take longer to pump water out of a flooded basement as it is necessary for pressure on the inside and outside walls to equalize to avoid causing structural damage. Professionals will strive to strike a balance between the need to eliminate standing water as soon as possible and preserve integrity. A combination of training and on-the-job experience makes professional house flooding help invaluable during the initial stage of flood recovery.

3. Have Your Home Cleaned and Disinfected

Restoration professionals usually classify the effects of flood water on property as highly contaminated Category Three water damage. You should expect to have hard surfaces in your home treated with disinfectant. Porous building materials and contents may require specialized treatments or replacement. Even after water is pumped out, damage may continue to intensify until cleaning and disinfection are complete and drying is underway.

4. Rebuild and Restore

When the area inundated by flood water is completely dry, rebuilding and restoration can take place. Irreparably ruined materials may require replacement, surfaces may need to be refinished and mold remediation may be necessary — all of which can total thousands of dollars. Rebuilding from a flood may also involve the installation of flood prevention equipment such as flood vents in the foundation, a sump pump, back-flow prevention valve or overhead drain. An investment in preventing future flooding may limit structural damage risks for a residence located in a flood zone.

You should be aware that most homeowners insurance policies exclude flood damage. A separate flood insurance policy or endorsements or riders for mold may be necessary to cover costs. It may be possible to limit the amount of a flood insurance claim or the sum you must pay out of pocket by hiring experienced professionals rather than attempting to clean up flood damage on your own. Hiring experts may cost more up-front, but having all of the damage caused by flood water cleaned and dried can help you avoid costly continued structural damage or mold problems. 

If you have any questions regarding flooding of your home, call SERVPRO of Zanesville/Cambridge at (740) 844-0977.

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