Dealing with the repercussions of a severe flood can be extremely difficult, both from a personal and a financial perspective. The damage that this natural disaster can cause to a property takes a great deal of time, money and energy to repair. If you own a home in an area which is prone to flooding, read on for some advice on how to cope with this type of situation.
Take safety precautions
There are a number of immediate dangers associated with a flooded house and it's vital to be aware of these before you begin the clean-up process. First and foremost, make sure that the electrical system is shut off. This should only be switched back on after it has been thoroughly examined by a qualified electrician. Floodwater can seep into the walls through plug and light outlets and wet the wiring; this can not only damage the electrical circuits but also present a risk of electrocution to those inside the property.
It's also important to wear protective clothing, such as waterproof gloves and wellington boots, to prevent any contact with contaminated floodwater. All household items which have been soaked through should be removed and dried out as quickly as possible, to avoid mould growth. It's also a good idea to check your belongings for odours and signs of fungal spores over the course of the first week after a flood.
Repair and prevent future flood damage
If the floodwater has seeped into the plastering of the walls in your home or caused significant damage to the floors, it's best to seek the help of a water damage remediation specialist, who can ensure that your property is fully restored to its former state. If the house is situated in a high-risk flood zone it may also be wise to ask your local waterproofing contractors to fit materials that will reduce the damage caused by future flooding.
Document and claim
The costs associated with restoring one's home to its original state after a flood can be very high, which is why it is crucial to document the damage and file a claim with your home insurance provider as soon as possible. Once it is safe to re-enter the property again, go inside and take plenty of photographs of the damaged areas. Additionally, draw up a list of all household items which were lost or broken as a result of this event. Whilst this can be a time-consuming process, it will save you a great deal of money and hassle later down the line.
Share8 July 2016
I really want a cool old fixie like some of the people at my university have, but they are actually more expensive than I had first thought. Then I was going through the shed at home, and I found a really old rusted bike my dad used to use. The bike needed a lot of work, so it's been a project for the last few months to get it working properly and get it looking great again. This blog has all of the repair and restoration steps that I have used, and pictures of my progress as the project progressed.
