Panicking is natural when you see that water starts coming into your home. Indeed, a flood is one of the most devastating and damaging things you can experience as a homeowner. A flooded home can be the result of various causes, including heavy rains, sewer backup, malfunctioning sump pump, burst pipes, and other plumbing failures.
No matter what the cause is, you can still do something to protect your family, prevent health hazards, save your home, and recoup as much of the repair costs as possible from your insurer.
1. Avoid Additional Risks
In any major home disaster, the first thing you must do is to remain safe, especially if the flood is severe enough for you and your family to leave your home. You also need to ensure your safety when returning to your home. Upon your return, you need to start dealing with the flood's aftermath immediately.
Wear appropriate protective clothing when reentering your home. Turn off water and electric power sources as these two are dangerous when combined. Then check for any visible structural damage like cracked or loosened foundation elements, such as warping, holes, and cracks.
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It's best to contact utility companies if you think there are damages in the electric, gas, water, and sewer lines.
2. Take Pictures
Before making any repairs or removing any water, don't forget to document the flood's damage to your home. Take videos and photos because you will need it for your insurance claim.
It's best to provide digital versions because it can be easily copied and electronically stored. Making repairs and removing water before documenting the damage can potentially decrease the extent of the coverage.
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3. Protect Your Health
Different household chemicals and sewage can contaminate floodwater. It is recommended to wear the right protective clothing when dealing with flood water to avoid contaminants. Throw away any food that comes in contact with the floodwater.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency also recommends boiling water before using it until the authorities declare that the water supply is safe.
4. Call the Insurance Company
It's best to save your local agent and insurance company's phone numbers so you can notify your insurer as soon as possible after the flood. If your agent is also affected by the flood, chances are, they are too busy handling their flood issues. In this case, you can contact the headquarter of the insurance company instead.
The coverage varies depending on the policy you have. However, most insurance companies cover flooding due to backed-up city sewers, storms, storm drains, burst pipes, and broken sump-pumps. An adjuster will be sent by the insurance company to check and assess the damage and determine if it's a covered loss.
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Expect that repairs will be costly, but your insurance money will help you lessen your financial burden and get your home back quicker. Prepare the photos and videos so the adjuster can assess the damage.
5. Start the Cleanup Process
Cleaning up after a flood is a long and arduous process. You will need to remove the water, dry the space out, salvage any home items you can, and disinfect all objects and areas touched by the floodwater.
After removing the water and drying out your home, you will need to start the post-flood care. Aside from water and property damage, you should also prevent mold damage. It is a huge problem after a flood.
Black mold or toxic molds have long-term effects on our health. So, it's best to keep flooded areas dry and treat the potential problem with a bleach solution or other reliable cleaner.
It's essential to follow the steps provided above because negligence can cause you much bigger trouble. It can lead to severe and costly damage that affects your home's structural integrity and expensive repairs for your HVAC, electrical system, and such. Act as soon as possible, and don't let flood water sit in your home for a long time to avoid further damage.
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