Water can devastate a home due to landslides, coastal flooding, hurricanes, or faulty plumbing. It can harm the structure of the house and all electronic objects within. If flooding occurs, you can minimize the effects before a water damage restoration team will return your residence to normal. 

What Should You Do After a Flood? 

1. Manage the Electronics 

Electronics are the most susceptible to water damage, and can quickly become a hazard. If outlets become submerged while the power is still on, the resulting sparks can start a fire. Turn off the power at the electrical panel located in the basement or the utility room. 

Unplug and remove electrical items and appliances and transport them to a safer location if possible. 

2. Pull the Carpeting 

Pull up any area rugs and carpeting, including the underpadding. Professional carpet cleaners might be able to save them, though there’s still a chance they’ll shrink. Even if they can be saved, the absorbent underpadding will need to be replaced. 

3. Remove the Water

If the electricity is still on, use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the water. Use outlets that are far from the water, but don’t use extension cords since they might short out. Rent or buy a sump pump to remove water from the basement. Use buckets and mops if the power isn’t on.

Dispose of the collected water down the drain. However, if the flooding was caused by a sewer back up in the neighborhood, the drains won’t help. Dump the water on the lawn instead. 

4. Dry the Area 

Once the water is gone, open windows, use fans, and dehumidifiers to dry the walls, floors, beams, and insulation. 

Remove any baseboards. Most are made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or wood. They should be kept, as water damage restoration technicians might be able to save the baseboards once they arrive. 

5. Disinfect & Inspect 

With the area dry, use a bleach solution to disinfect all water damaged sites and items. Include the walls, floors, and any non-upholstered furniture. For upholstered furniture use a fabric steamer. You can also check the tag on them, which will tell you the other safe cleaning methods that are available.

Though now dry, the affected areas may be prone to mold growth, which is a health hazard. Water damage restoration teams will provide mold remediation to ensure your home is safe. 

 

Flooding can occur at any time. That’s why the water damage restoration team at Restoration 1 of Raleigh North can be reached 24/7. Whether it’s minor flooding in the basement or a significant storm that has affected the main floor of the house, they have the experience and equipment needed to restore your home to its pre-damaged condition. Knowing that this can be a challenging time, their technicians also provide assistance when filing an insurance claim. For a complete list of their services, visit their website. If you’re in the Raleigh, NC, area, schedule a free estimate at (919) 492-5735.