After a storm, there are many matters to be concerned with to get your home and life back to normal. Above all, safety is the most pressing concern, followed by damage to your home. Many storms leave extensive damage, and flooding is just one of them. When your home gets flooded, flood cleanup can seem overwhelming when you’re not prepared. Here are a few tips to help you handle flood clean up after a storm.
After a Storm – Safety is First
If you have to leave your home during a storm due to flooding; then it is important when you return to your home to remain safe. You want to make sure your power is off and that there are no downed wires before getting in contact with any water. Wear protective clothing, such as rubber boots and gloves, when you enter your home. This will protect you from anything that is in the water, such as debris or chemicals, that could have washed in from the flood. If you come in contact with the water, wash your hands thoroughly.
Stop and Eliminate the Water
If you home is flooded due to a storm but has damage that is continuing to bring in water, such as a burst pipe, be sure to cut off the source to prevent more water damage and to make flood clean up a bit easier. The sooner you stop the water, the sooner you can get to repairing your home. Next, the standing water needs to be extracted as quickly as possible to avoid major damage. Depending on how much flooding you have, you can use buckets to bail out the water; however, that will not extract all the water and there will be lingering moisture, and everything will remain damp and wet. Stanley Steemer uses dehumidifiers and fans to remove the moisture from the air and machines with powerful extraction to remove all the water from the flooring of a home.
Flood Cleanup
Make sure you contact your insurance company right away to help with damage in your home that you cannot repair, such as broken possessions or windows. You will probably have to hire a contractor to remove debris from your home. Make sure to remove the water from your home as quickly as possible. Standing water creates a perfect condition for mold growth, which can lead to an increase in allergies and asthma attacks. To prevent damage to other items in the home, homeowners can pin up draperies to stop water from running up the fabric and remove other furnishings with water damage to allow them to dry. You should always avoid attempting to vacuum a wet rug, as it can damage the carpet fibers as well as your vacuum cleaner.
Water Damage Repair & Extraction
Stanley Steemer has certified specialists who know how to handle flood problems and reduce flood damage. Stanley Steemer quickly responds and completes work efficiently. We use specialized equipment to extract standing water with the use of powerful suction that can remove as much moisture as possible. If you have flood damage in your home, consider contacting the professionals at Stanley Steemer at 888-982-3553 to get your free quote.