What To Do In A Flood
Floods happen, everywhere in the country. Water can come from a storm surge, broken pipes, poor landscaping and so much more, and you needn’t live near a dam to be in danger. How you handle a water intrusion usually has to do with the rate at which water enters a structure, the amount of water, the source of the water, and what areas are affected.
Short Term Water Management After A Flood
In short term water management, slip fall hazards, possible electric shock, biological or toxic contamination and other potential dangers must be considered before you take any action. In cases when there is a large quantity of standing water it is usually safest to turn off the electricity and gas to the structure before you begin any cleanup.
Once you have determined that it is safe to proceed, identify the source of the water, and stop the water intrusion, if possible. If it is from rainwater
or other sources beyond your control, take steps to reduce the rate at which it is spreading. You can do this by placing towels to absorb the water, using a shop vac to extract the water, or even using a push broom or squeegee to push the water outside. If you have them, sandbags can help keep water out as well.
Call The Professionals
The services of a professional restoration company will usually be needed when the water has saturated building materials such as carpet and pad.
It is nearly impossible for a homeowner to remove water and dry a structure in a safe and efficient manner. This is because cleaning companies have the fans, heaters, other equipment and experience to dry water quickly.
Often, homeowner attempts at saving money end up costing thousands of dollars later in mold contamination and permanent damage to the structure. Many items in the home that could have been saved by quick response from a professional may have to be discarded, or undergo
expensive restoration.
Your best course of action in the event of a substantial water intrusion is to ensure the safety of yourself and other inhabitants of the structure. Then, determine the source of the water, try to stop or slow the entry of water, move furnishings out of the water and call a professional restoration contractor to handle the extraction of water and structural drying.
What About Homeowner’s Insurance
Homeowners’ insurance may or may not cover the damages caused from water intrusion. It depends on your policy and how the water entered. Many policies do not cover “rising water” from flood conditions unless you have specific flood coverage. Yet, they will usually cover the
damage from rainwater that enters the structure from above, as from a hole in the roof. You can get additional insurance to cover flood
and other water hazards. Double check your insurance policy or talk to your insurance provider to see what’s covered.
No matter your policy type, most insurance companies will require you to act fast and contact a professional restoration company to minimize damage and reduce the cost of the claim. That’s why, if water intrusion occurs, you should call a trusted restoration company immediately. Fast response and having the right equipment are both critical in getting your home back to a pre-loss condition as quickly as possible.
Our trained and educated team at Clean Pro are here to help you when the unthinkable happens. Trust the professionals to help you when floods happen.
For further information about carpet, floor and rug cleaning as well as restoration services, call Clean Pro
on the Southshore at (504) 443-0009; on the Northshore at (985) 674-7778; on the Westbank at (504) 394-1116; in Baton Rouge at (225) 389-0202; or toll-free at (800) 377-9597. Email inquiries to service@cleanprocarpet.com.
