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Home Flood Issues

Floods can occur anywhere, at any time, and for a variety of reasons.  They can happen suddenly, as the result of a burst pipe or flash flood, or they can start out as minor leaks which are not discovered until they have already grown and done a great deal of damage.

If you find yourself in the position of dealing with a home flood, it is important to act quickly, but efficiently.  Know what steps to take, and what order in which to take them, so that you can save and continue to enjoy your home for years to come.

First order of business is to prevent any more water from entering the home.  Locate the source and shut it off, if possible.  You’ll also want to shut off all utilities to the home.  Electricity and water do not mix.  At all.  Trust me.

Remove all loose items from the damaged area….furniture, books, appliances.  Take them somewhere else to clean and repair them.  Electrical appliances will need to be checked out by a qualified electrician before using them again.

Water must be extracted and the home dried out within 48 hours of the initial water damage event.  After that, the stage is set for the propagation of mold, which establishes quickly, spreads like wildfire, brings numerous health hazards, and is very problematic to remove.

They key word in all water damage restoration is “dry”.  Make sure all surfaces are completely dry before attempting further repairs.

For best results, contact your local IICRC certified water damage restoration company.