Have you ever looked at a broken appliance and thought to yourself "I bet that can be fixed." If so, you need to make a call to a repairs specialist. Most things can be repaired — you just have to call the right person. There are repair professionals who focus on electronics, others who focus on home components like roofs and gutters, and still others who make repairs to home appliances, exclusively. Help is a phone call away.
Even though someone else is doing the work, however, we do think it's important for you to know a bit about repairs and restoration. That's why we're providing helpful articles on this blog. Fix it to the max — we know you can!
If a flood has damaged your home, before you go in, you need to think carefully about the steps that you will need to take in order to get your home back in order.
Step #1: Be Careful Before Entering Your Home
When it comes to a flood, when you are able to get back to your home, you need to be careful. Don't just waltz through the door of your home after a flood. First, you are going to want to make sure that the electricity has been turned off to your home. Second, if you have gas, you want to make sure that the gas has been turned off as well. You don't need a second disaster on top of the first one that already hit your home.
Step #2: Protect Yourself
When you enter a home that has been damaged by floodwater, you need to protect yourself. The floodwater may still be present, and even if it has receded some, that doesn't mean the ground is going to be stable for you to walk on. You are going to want to wear footwear that will protect you from water and keep you safe if you run into any hard or pointy objects as you are walking around. Ideally, you should wear some tall boots with waders or water-repellent pants.
Step #3: Be Careful About Mold
Third, you need to be careful about mold. Mold may have already started to develop in your home. You should wear a mask to protect yourself from mold spores; you don't want to get a respiratory illness while cleaning up your home. Make notes of anywhere that you see mold when you enter your home so you can prepare to properly address it.
Step #4: Check the Structural Integrity
All that water pounding up and flowing through your home can damage the structural integrity of the home. Check the foundation and be on the lookout for new cracks. Be careful stepping on the floors until you know that they are all sturdy.
Step 5: Take Lots of Pictures
Be sure to bring your camera with you, as you are going to want to take lots of pictures of the damage. These pictures will help the water damage restoration team you hire know what to expect and what to bring to the job. These pictures are also going to be vital to your insurance claim.
If your home was damaged by floodwater, you need to make sure your home is safe to enter before you go inside. You need to protect yourself, be aware, and document any mold you find, check the structural integrity of the home, and take lots of pictures. Contact a water restoration team to help you with the rest of the clean-up process.
To learn more, contact a water damage restoration company.