Dealing with a flooded home can be a traumatic experience. But understanding what to do in the immediate aftermath can help you respond quickly and proactively to restore your property to its original condition. From detecting the source to scheduling water damage repair, here’s what you should know.

What to Do When Your House Floods

1. Turn Off the Water & Electricity

If you can easily and safely reach the main water supply to turn it off, do so right away. That will stop the flood if it’s caused by something like a broken plumbing fixture. Also, if you can safely reach the breaker box without touching water, turn off the electrical supply to prevent the threat of a fire. Otherwise, have an electrician handle this for you.

2. Take Photographs

It’s crucial to document the damage in the aftermath of a flood so that you can file an appropriate claim with your home insurance provider. Take extensive photographs of the entire space, taking the time to assess the entire affected area. Make note of your losses, including both property and objects. Dress appropriately so that you aren’t exposed to any hazardous materials while documenting the flood.

3. Contact Water Damage Repair Services

Flood damage is typically too extensive for the average homeowner to handle on their own. Water damage repair professionals have the necessary equipment to extract the water safely. However, if there are any items that you can quickly salvage before they suffer even more moisture exposure, it’s fine to do that. You should take pains to disinfect anything that you plan to keep.

4. Try to Prevent Mold

It’s inevitable that moisture breeds mold. Fungi need water and heat to thrive, making the aftermath of a flood ideal for growth. You can try using a fan to air the space out, but the sooner a water damage repair technician can assess the situation, the better..

Don’t deal with a household flood on your own. Turn to the team at A-1 Cleaning & Restoration in Red Wing, MN. These highly qualified experts handle water damage repair, including mold removal and carpet cleaning. They work hard to leave your property looking as good as new — and most importantly, safe to inhabit. Visit them online for information, or call them at (651) 385-8442 to schedule an appointment.