A flood can be one of the worst catastrophes a homeowner can experience. The damage even a minor flood can do creates numerous hassles that you most likely don’t have the time or money for. And let's not forget the emotional complications we have to handle as well; family heirlooms, mementos, and important documents or paperwork can all be impacted by flood damage.

In this blog, we'll discuss water damage cleanup and the most important steps after a flood. We hope that we can help guide you through such difficult times. Taking these first steps should keep damage to a minimum and ensure you get your home back as fast as possible with as few costs as possible.

Step 1: Safety First

No matter the size or cause of a flood, you need to consider you and your family's safety above all else. While the type of flood may indicate how cleanup is approached, your first concern should be for your safety and the safety of others. With that said, there are different concerns for heavy rains, sewer back-ups, burst pipes, and malfunctioning appliances.

Water and electricity don't mix well. Therefore, the first thing you should do is ensure the electricity is turned off. You can call your town/municipality and have them turn off the electricity for you, or you can do so manually yourself. However, it's essential to make sure that it is safe for you to do so. If turning off electricity means walking into or standing in flood water or on a wet surface, it's best to have it turned off by a professional.

Next, be sure to wear protective clothing when doing any water damage and flood restoration clean-up yourself. Rubber gloves, waterproof boots and overalls, and perhaps even eye and face protection like goggles and a mask may be required. The type and level of personal protective equipment needed will vary depending on the kind of flood your home has suffered.

Before even entering your home, you should call your insurance company's 24-hour emergency line and notify them of the damage and type of flooding event that's occurred.

Step 2: Prevent Further Flooding

If the flooding or influx of water is still occurring, then you should take action to stop further flooding. The first step is to identify the cause and then turn off its water supply if possible. If it's not something that can be turned off and instead needs to be guarded against, then you should place sandbags to create a waterproof barrier or use tarpaulins to patch against leaks.

If the flood damage is too severe for you to handle on your own, then you can always call in the professionals. A water damage and restoration company can help you with cleanup, repairs, and even drying out your property to prevent further water damage. Sometimes, it's safer and best to let the professionals equipped with commercial and professional-grade equipment handle the job.

If the damage is less severe and you feel confident and comfortable enough to take on repairs and restoration yourself, you should begin by removing all wet items as soon as possible. Mold begins to grow within 24 hours of saturation, so make sure any wet items are completely dry before bringing them back inside.

Taking action to protect your belongings from further water damage is an important next step. If the furniture is standing on a wet carpet, for example, place a barrier down beneath it or remove it entirely to prevent further water damage. This is also the time to remove any paperwork, photos, and important documents and place them in a safe location where they will be able to be dried out if already wet.

Step 4: Contact Insurer & Take Photos

You've stopped the flooding, ensured your property is safe to enter, and prevented further flooding and water damage. Now is the time to call your insurance provider's 24-hour emergency line. They will advise you of what your specific policy covers and send someone to assess the damage.

Of course, you may need to start the water damage cleanup before the assessor arrives. Your insurance company will tell you what you can and should do immediately. Compiling photo and video evidence right away before any cleanup takes place is a good practice. Remember to take as many photos as possible during the cleanup as well. All this evidence will help the insurance company determine the value of the damage caused by the flood.

You can also keep pieces of damaged floor and wall coverings to show your assessor if the cleanup begins before they arrive. In addition, check with your mortgage provider, if you have one, before cashing any checks, most especially if the damage is extensive or severe.

Step 5: Hiring a Flood Restoration Specialist

It's finally time to begin cleaning up and repairing damage. Contacting a flood restoration specialist can be a safer and easier option, especially when it comes to more severe flood and water damage. They should inspect your property and evaluate any and all damage.

This will usually be done by using a combination of techniques. This can even include specialized equipment to measure how wet your home is. Not only will this help them determine the exact type of equipment needed for the cleanup process, but it will also help dry your home out as quickly as possible.

If you choose to go with a restoration company, they will determine what can be salvaged and remove any standing water. They will also undertake the drying and cleaning involved. Usually, the most expensive and time-consuming component is the restoration work. This may include removing carpets, flooring, plaster, and drywall and replacing any or all of these materials.

Step 6: Cleaning Up Yourself

If you've decided that the water damage is minimal, and you want to begin cleaning yourself, remember to take the necessary precautions. Always wear protective clothing, boots, rubber gloves, goggles, and a protective face mask if necessary.

Turn off water and power (unless you would have to do so while standing in water). Check for gas leaks, cracked foundations, exterior damage, and damage to power lines. Never enter your home or business if you see any major structural damage; let a professional handle it. Don’t walk on sagging floors or under sagging ceilings. And never use electrical appliances or turn on anything electrical when water is involved.

Open all doors and windows to provide fresh air and proper ventilation. Patch any leaks and guard against any further water damage. Next, remove any debris or standing water that may still be present. Remove all damaged wall coverings and floor coverings, as they can harbor mold. Remove any drywall and insulation that’s been in contact with water and dispose of permeable materials such as padded furniture, fabric items, foam, and rubber.

Use wet vacs, shop vacs, industrial fans, and dehumidifiers to start drying out your property. Shop vacs and wet vacs will help remove water and sodden debris. A commercial fan and proper ventilation will help dry out any surface water, while a dehumidifier will finish drying the space out and help prevent mold and mildew growth. Lastly, if there are any mold, mildew, or other odors still present, adding an air purifier will help filter out any lingering impurities.

When focusing on the smaller scale items, you should get rid of any exposed food, beverages, medicine, and even canned goods that may be damaged. Disinfect dishes and other durable items with soap and hot water, but dispose of all soft plastics. Clean hard surfaces with hot water, soap, or detergent. Wipe down wooden items and take them elsewhere to dry out. Use a mold and mildew cleaner or sealant to prevent further growth. Placing a waterproof barrier between the legs of furniture and wet surfaces will help prevent water from penetrating further.

Be sure to check out our other blog posts to help you figure out which tool or dehumidifier is right for you and your specific needs.