Floods may be caused by faulty home water systems, natural calamities, or by ground or falling water. Looking at your home after a devastating flood can be worrisome. But, you need to realize that all isn’t lost as you can still fix your home after the tragedy.
Here are four ways to help you start rebuilding your house after a flood:
Avoid And Remove Additional Risks
Some floods might not cause you to evacuate the premises, such as water overflowing in your basement. However, tsunamis and heavy rains are serious natural calamities, and you should leave your home to avoid life-threatening risks.
You can return to your dwelling after the calamity subsides or dissipates, but you might now be staring at a heavily-damaged abode. Wipe those tears of despair, and start with the home restoration process by avoiding and removing any additional risks in the area.
Look for visible structural damages, such as cracks in the foundation, holes in walls, and warped or loosened beams. Contact professionals if you think it’s too unsafe for you to enter the premises.
The right firm can help you avoid different risks in assessing property damages. Flood, fire, and mold restoration services can help check, remove, and restore your home to its former glory. Plus, these companies have expert members that carry safety gear on-site, reducing potential risks of an even more significant degree.
Remove Excess Water
One of the many things that you’ll see in your home after a flood is water–lots of it. Remove any excess water in the property by using different techniques. An old yet reliable pail might even get the job done in this regard, but it’ll take a while before you can remove the excess moisture in your house altogether.
Another option is to quickly and efficiently use a sump-pump to suck up the excessive amounts of water in the property. But, if the flood damaged or broke this particular device, consider replacing the machine with a new model. Replace the broken sump-pump fast as rains in your area may prevent you from clearing the excess moisture in your home the soonest possible time.
If you don’t have the time to use a pail or can’t afford to buy a new sump-pump, consider using the services of professional restoration companies. Search online for reliable contractors in your area. For example, if you live in Utah, use the most relevant online search strings, like “Utah’s premier disaster restoration company”, to give you specific results.
Turn Off The Electricity
It might be tempting to search for a nearby power outlet to charge the draining battery of your smartphone. However, don’t fall into that temptation, especially if the area still has plenty of water.
Turn off the main circuit breaker to cut off the electricity in the area. Also, avoid walking in flooded areas without proper protection while the power is still active. Wear rubber boots while heading toward the circuit breaker to avoid getting electric shocks.
Leaving the electricity in the property turned after a flood can also increase the risk of fire. It’s because live power sources can cause:
- Short circuits
- Cuts on gas containers, lines, and tanks
- Additional heat in heating devices
Also, the circuit breaker might experience damages because of the flood. That said, wear a pair of rubber gloves before touching the panel to avoid electricity-related accidents.
Replace Your Roof
As mentioned previously, floods can come from heavy rains. The force and weight of the water pouring from the sky can also damage your roof. This natural calamity can cause holes in the roof, which can prevent you from carrying out accomplishment cleanup and repair procedures for your home.
Consider replacing your roof upon returning to your house after a flood. Restoration services can help reestablish your roof’s beauty and structural integrity. Please don’t attempt to accomplish this task using do-it-yourself (DIY) methods as it may take a long time to complete the restoration and repairs by yourself. Remember, speed will be your best friend in fixing your abode after a flood. Do tasks quickly and efficiently to avoid any further damages in the area.
Conclusion
Floods can come from different sources, including heavy rains caused by climate change and faulty drainage systems. Stay away from the property until the natural calamity goes away. Start your home’s repair and restoration by assessing the damage and removing any hazardous materials. Also, remove excess water as the additional moisture will put the property at higher-than-average risks of acquiring more damage. If you think these tasks are too much to handle, don’t hesitate to seek the help of local professional restoration services.