4 Tips for Easier Flood Damage Restoration

4 Tips for Easier Flood Damage Restoration

If you’ve ever had water damage to your home, you know it can be difficult to deal with on your own, even if the damage isn’t extensive.

Flood damage restoration, in particular, can be challenging and frustrating without the right tools and information. That’s why we created this guide for 4 tips for easier flood damage restoration that will help you make it through this difficult time and start planning for how to move forward as quickly as possible.

Remove Standing Water As Soon As Possible

Standing water is the single most destructive force in a flood. When it’s not removed quickly, mold, bacteria, and other contaminants can start to grow and spread. A flood can destroy your basement or crawlspace, but if you’re quick enough to remove standing water before it becomes a problem, you can prevent damage to other areas of your home.

You’ll want to start by ensuring there are no electronics or other valuables in the area that could be damaged by flood water. Make sure all electrical outlets are covered with tape or plastic wrap so they’re not exposed to water damage during cleanup efforts.

The longer standing water is allowed to linger, the harder it is to remove. Water can be removed from the home by draining and removing the drain pipes or by using a dehumidifier or air compressor.

Call Your Insurance Company to File a Claim

If you’ve had a flood, call your insurance company to file a claim. Your insurance company can help you file for flood damage restoration services and coordinate the process with the contractor.

Insurance companies have different policies regarding how they handle flood damage restoration claims. Some will send out their own contractors while others will require that you hire a contractor that specializes in this type of work. It depends on the policyholder’s needs and the type of coverage they have in place when filing their claim.

They’ll need some basic information about your property and what happened. It’s important that you give the insurance company all of this information as soon as possible so that they can start processing your claim quickly and efficiently.

Clean and Sterilize Everything That Can Be Saved

This includes furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, and more. This step is often overlooked, but it’s important to clean and sterilize any item of furniture that can be salvaged before the water damage repair crew arrives.

If you have carpeting, remove it from all rooms and wash it in hot water with bleach. If you have clothing or other items made of leather or fur, remove these items from all rooms and dry them thoroughly with a hot dryer or machine dryer. If the home has been inundated with sewage or chemicals like gasoline, it’s important to remove these items as quickly as possible.

Once all items are cleaned and sterilized, it will be easier to move on to the next step: drying out the home. This may take several days or even weeks, depending on the extent of the damage caused by flood waters.

Hire Professionals to Handle the Rest

Getting the right professionals to help you with your flood damage restoration is key. Sure, you can do it yourself, but that’s not always the best move. Hiring professionals will make sure everything is done correctly the first time — and that means no more surprises down the line.

Crews of professional contractors are available with varying degrees of experience and expertise when it comes time to clean up after floods or other natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes.

They can help with everything from structural repairs to debris removal, so knowing which company is right for your situation is essential when looking into hiring one of these teams in order to get your home back in shape after a flood disaster.

Conclusion

The valuable tips that we’ve summarized here may seem familiar, but it’s too easy to lose track of them in a disaster. By all means, be sure to remember what to do if flooding strikes your home. Navigating this kind of catastrophe can feel overwhelming, but with these tips, you’ll have an easier time restoring your home back to normal after a flood.

JDR Restoration & Remodeling is a fully licensed, insured, and accredited company that will respond to your request for emergency service immediately and professionally. We also specialize in water damage restoration, mold remediation, fire damage restoration, emergency restoration services, and emergency plumbing repair.