Natural disasters are very unfortunate and unpredictable. They can happen anytime and anywhere and can cause a serious loss of property. What will you do if your property gets hit by a flood? Everyone at this point will say they will ensure the safety of their family, property, and valuables. Guess what, to ensure their safety you must take some necessary steps. But what are those steps? If you are not aware of those then do not worry. In this article, we will discuss some of those necessary steps that you must take after a flood.
Contact with Your Insurance Company
This is the first and the foremost step that you must take and that too immediately. No matter in what kind of area you live risk of flood is something that you should not avoid. The cost of damage repairs caused by a flood is very expensive so always get flood insurance as it will help you to not break your bank. Before you start the cleanup and restoration process take pictures of the damages caused as you have to provide valid documents for claiming the insurance.
Protect Yourself
Some dangers remain even after the flooding has stopped. In case you left your house for safety during flooding then wait for the green signal from the authorities before you enter your house. Broken ceilings and floors can pose a serious threat so check for those before entering.
Do not step into a waterlogged room until the electricity is cut off. Wear boots, a mask, and gloves for precaution.
Call a Professional to Inspect the Damage
Before starting your repairs, you need to know the extent of damages caused. Hire an expert for determining the extent of damages. Inspecting damages requires skilled professionals so always go for a reputable disaster restoration company. You can find more information about Dallas flood damage repair services here. Water can damage the electricity lines and appliances so also call an electrician for checking those things.
Start the Cleaning
Cleaning is a very time-consuming task and coming in direct contact with flood water without any proper protection can be harmful. So, do not try to do the cleaning by yourself. It is suggested to hire a professional cleaning company to do all the work.
Dry and Sanitize Everything
After your furniture and other things are being cleaned you must dry them immediately. As said earlier also, floodwater is highly contaminated so sanitize everything properly. But it is advisable to dispose of all the porous materials. If possible and the weather is suitable then it will be better if you can dry your home contents in the sunlight.
Check the Mold Damage
Mold and water go hand in hand and can appear within not less than 48 hours of the flood. You can clean the small molds with the usual home cleaners by yourself. But, you must call a professional if you find any mold which is covering an area of more than 6 square feet. Black molds require some expert safety precautions and methods.
According to Medical News Today, molds can cause many health issues like breathing problems, allergies, aspergillosis, insomnia, nausea, etc.
Necessary Repairs
Finally, when your home and all its contents will be cleaned you have to start the repair work. So give a call to your contractor to check the areas that require immediate repair. Above all ask your contractor about how you can make your home flood-proof to avoid any serious damages if flooding occurs again.
Conclusion
These are some necessary steps that you must take after a flood. As said earlier natural disaster is unpredictable, so it is better to be prepared.
