The Water Restoration and Cleanup Process After a Home Flood
A stressful experience, a home or office flood can strike unexpectedly. Discover how the experts at The Flood Team tackle water restoration and what to expect.
According to FEMA $8,736,386 were lost in 2017 due to floods. Floods are not only expensive to the home or business owner, but they’re also emotionally devastating.
Whether it’s a flooded basement to contend with or an entire building, the water restoration process can be a long one. It can also be harmful to your health if you don’t know how to conduct a proper cleanup, which is why it’s so important to call in the experts. But what should you expect during the process of water damage repair? Keep reading to find out.
Why Learning the Water Restoration Process is Important
Climate change is creating more floods. 90 US communities already face regular flooding and, by the end of this century, it’s expected that over 670 communities will be victims of repeated flooding.
Not only is there an immediate danger for loss of life during the actual flooding, but even after the floodwaters recede, there’s still the silt and mud to contend with.
The Aftermath of Floods is Just as Dangerous
Silt and mud may be contaminated with hazardous materials such as pesticides, fuel, and sharp objects. There are also health hazards related to issues with untreated sewage and mold.
Calling in professionals means everyone stays safe. The experts know and use the latest technology and safety protocols to ensure the water damage clean up service is safe, effective, and as quick as possible.
Photographing the Damage
During the water damage repair process, our team of experts will take photographs before and after the work is completed.
We’ll submit these photos and work directly with your insurance company to help support your claim. Do NOT toss out any damaged items until after your insurance claim adjuster has viewed everything so you have proof of loss.
Don’t Enter Your Dwelling After a Flood
Never enter your home or office after a flood until the authorities have checked out the damages. There are often hidden dangers lurking, so wait until you’ve been given official approval to enter the building. Even if it’s just a basement flood, there still may be unseen potential hazards.
Standing Water is Removed
Standing water in a home or office is a health hazard. It causes mold and if there are any loose wires, someone may be electrocuted. Fortunately, it’s a fairly easy process for us to remove water and restore the damaged area.
We use state-of-the-art shop vacuums which are rotated around the room and suck up all the water. The time this process takes depends on how much water there is, the size of the room, and what materials are being dried.
Let the Electrician Do Their Job
A professional electrician will do a check to make sure no one will get electrocuted due to wet or loose wires. This is an even bigger hazard if the lights were still on when the flood occurred.
The Lights aren’t the Only Safety Hazard
Don’t forget it’s not just the lights that can pose a risk of shock or fire when turned back on. The electrician will also clean, dry, and inspect all appliances along with the heating, pressure, and/or sewage system. Only after you’ve received a proper inspection from a licensed electrician will the electric company reconnect power to your home or business.
Drying Everything Out
Once the water is removed, it’s time to dry out your home or office. We’ll use air movers which act like giant fans to help circulate air flow throughout the room.
We may need to lift up the carpet or even face the fans at walls to dry out the most saturated parts. For homes or offices with hardwood floors, floor mats are used to draw out the water from the floor.
For wet walls, they may need to remove baseboards and drill holes into the drywall. This helps everything dry faster and while it does cause some damage, it’s cheaper and less destructive than having to demolish and rebuild.
Containment
Containment and the drying process happen at the same time. Wet areas are taped off in an effort to focus the heat and suction to the rooms that need to be dried out.
This is a critical step in the process as it lets our work crew maintain the environment of the room. It lets us dry your home or office as efficiently and quickly as possible.
Continuous Monitoring
Our crew will continue to monitor the drying process. The temperature and humidity levels are continuously monitored to ensure the room dries as quickly as possible.
Mold Cleanup
Mold and mold spores are dangerous to your health. The cleanup crew uses containment procedures to isolate the area and keep the spores from spreading throughout the process.
Using air filtration equipment, we can capture mold spores from the air, then use air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent mold spores from spreading.
Antimicrobial and Antifungal Treatments
Depending on mold growth and the types of surfaces where the mold appears, your professionals will use antimicrobial and antifungal treatments to kill off new and existing colonies.
In cases of heavy mold growth, materials such as drywall and carpeting may need to be removed from the home and properly disposed of. Next, the professionals will clean, sanitize, and remove odors from all reusable items such as your furniture, curtains, and clothing.
Water, Food, and Utensils
It’s not just the electricity you’ll have to get approval for. You’ll need to have your water source inspected to ensure it’s safe to use.
In the meantime, strain water through a clean cloth or filter. Boil water for one full minute and then let it cool. You can also use liquid chlorine bleach if boiling isn’t a possibility.
Metal is Okay to Reuse
Any food that’s in retort pouches or all-metal cans should still be safe to consume. Make sure the can is undamaged, then remove the label and thoroughly wash and disinfect the can.
Toss out any flood-damaged utensils made of wood or plastic. Metal and ceramics should be thoroughly washed with hot soapy water and then sanitized using either in clean boiling water or by soaking for 15 minutes in a solution of chlorine and water.
Stay Safe by Hiring Professionals
Even with minor flood damage, the water restoration process is dangerous and difficult. It’s best to hire professionals to help you.
We handle all types of services from a sewer backing up to a basement flood. Contact us to get the help you need today.
