What Should I Do When There’s Flooding in My Home?

It’s a nightmare scenario for a homeowner: seeing your home slowly starting to flood during a major storm. If this scenario occurs at your home, it is crucial that you are prepared to take immediate action to address the issue.

Here’s an overview of the steps you should take if there is flooding in your home. Reach out to local water damage restoration companies in Erie County for more information:

• Find the source and stop the water: This is really only a step you can take if the flooding is not due to an act of nature, but it’s still important to note. If, for example, you have a pipe or appliance leak, you must find exactly where that leak is coming from, then find the main water valve to your house and shut it down. This will turn off all the water to your home, but it will also give you time to address the problem to avoid the flood becoming an emergency situation.
• Shut down electricity: Once you’ve stopped the flooding, you should shut down the electricity to your home at the circuit panel. However, if you cannot get to the electrical panel without having to go through water, you should call an electrician—this could be extremely dangerous to attempt yourself, as water conducts electricity.
• Evacuate: In some cases, you may need to evacuate the home until you are able to get professionals out to resolve the issue. If the issue is a burst pipe or a sewage leak, or if you’re in a natural disaster, for example, it’s important to get out and find a temporary spot to take shelter, either at a hotel or with friends.
• Call your insurance provider: If you are the owner of the home, you’ll need to call your homeowners insurance provider to report the water damage and flooding. Depending on the source of the flood, you may or may not be covered. In the case of natural disasters, you will likely need an extra flood insurance policy to be covered. If you know your home is susceptible to flooding, this might be something you consider looking into. If you’re renting your home, make sure you contact your landlord as soon as possible.
• Document: Document everything related to the water damage, including the date and time you noticed the flooding, the source of the flood, the amount of water you saw coming in, any conversations you had with your insurance provider or with remediation specialists and anything else that might be beneficial to have on record for a potential insurance claim.
• Cleanup: The cleanup process can be long and difficult, depending on the extent of the damage. Salvage any items you can, and make sure you disinfect any areas touched by the water, as it may have been carrying sewage or other contaminants. Wear the proper safety gear, and bring in professionals to help. Air out the area and make sure you take proper action to prevent mold from setting in.

When you need a local water damage restoration company in Erie County, reach out to Ahold of Mold Environmental for more tips on what to do if your home starts to flood.

Categorised in: Water Damage Restoration