Written by Andy Gurczak
November 9, 2021
Cleaning Up After a Flood Tips
Cleaning up after a flood sweeps through your home is a massive task. Moreover, how do you even clean up after so much water? For this reason, we have compiled this “Cleaning up after flood tips” list to help you out with the process.
First and most importantly, stay safe when handling your flood damage! Do not return to the area until local authorities say it’s safe to do so. If standing water remains in your home, turn off the electricity and gas before entering the property. In addition, inspect the home’s structure thoroughly and wear protective gear.
It’s daunting to see signs of flooding in your home. For instance, active water on the floor or water stains up the walls. Therefore, the cleanup process begins by accepting your landscape has changed and knowing it can be fixed. Start with these tips to help you clean up following a flood.
Cleaning Up After a Flood Tips: What You Should Do
If there has been flooding in your home or business, it’s best to contact your insurance company immediately. Remember that many people will be filing insurance claims after a natural disaster. For this reason, will leave adjusters and insurers saturated with work. Furthermore, the sooner you file a flood insurance claim, the sooner the restoration process will begin.
Once you file your claim, you’ll need to contact a professional flood cleanup service. They will be in charge of repairing your home or business property. For example, they will take care of tasks like removing carpet padding that may have come in contact with contaminated floodwaters. They could also pump out standing water and take step to mitigate damage.
Furthermore, your restoration company will dry out any flooded areas and disinfect them within 48 hours to avoid mold growth. Your flood damage restoration company will also take care of the following:
Cleaning Up After a Flood Tips #1: Safety first
The water that flooded your property may have contained sewage or other contaminants. Moreover, the force of the floodwater and debris may have weakened the property’s foundation or the general structure. Therefore, your flooding restoration company will first take steps to ensure the repair process goes along safely.
With this in mind, remember that buildings may not be habitable during the cleaning and restoration process.
As we mentioned before, they will shut off gas and electricity, examine the building’s structure, and wear appropriate protective attire. For example, safety attire will include eye protection, hazmat suits, rubber gloves, and rubber boots.
Cleaning Up After a Flood Tips #2: Contact you insurance company to file Insurance claims
- First, take photos and videos as evidence of the damage. Your insurance company will ask you for this type of documentation.
- Second, keep records of all expenses you must incur on. For example, damage mitigation expenses, additional living expenses, or restoration costs.
- Furthermore, check with your insurance company for other requirements necessary to make your claim.
- Moreover, ensure you take steps to mitigate water damage. For instance, you might want to wrap up valuables in plastics bags or board up openings in the property to prevent trespassing.
- Last but not least, don’t throw away any sort of damaged property. At least not until an insurance adjuster visits your property and gives you a damage estimate.
Cleaning Up After a Flood Tips #3: Remove the Water
After the flooding, it’s essential to remove as much water as possible as quickly as possible.
Water restoration professionals usually use containers and wet/dry vacuums to remove small amounts of flood water. Whereas industrial water pumps are necessary to flush out more significant amounts of standing water.
Once the water is removed, they will shovel out any residual mud and debris while it’s wet. If it’s left to dry, it will create a crust in your home.
Cleaning Up After a Flood Tips #4: Clean and dry flooded areas thoroughly.
Because a home needs to dry from the inside out, your restoration company may also need to tear down wet drywall or plaster. Therefore, removing wall coverings like paneling and wallpaper, as well as insulation, might be necessary. All should be removed up to the highest point the water reached.
Areas that stay wet or damp for more than 48 hours can grow mold. So if carpets, upholstered furniture, clothing, paper, and other absorbent materials cannot be completely dried, it is best to throw them out. Your restoration will also likely place industrial fans around the water-damaged area to further dry out the property.
Cleaning Up After a Flood Tips #5:Clean and disinfect
Simply drying your property will likely not be enough. Professional water remediation services will use approved disinfectants to clean and sanitize any leftover materials properly.
Household cleaning products help remove dirt after a flood. Meanwhile, disinfectants help stop the growth of disease-causing microorganisms carried in floodwater.
Best way to beat the insurance company is to hire AllCity Adjusting
At AllCity Adjusting we help residential and commercial clients alike get the claims support they need. Moreover, we have over 50 years of combined experience helping get our clients the max settlement time and time again. If your claim has been low balled or denied entirely we can help increase your maximum settlement. Call us today for a FREE consultation. Experience the AllCity difference.
Real Support When You Need It!
Related Articles
Maximizing Commercial Roofing Insurance Claims: A Comprehensive Guide
What's In This Article Maximizing Commercial Roofing Insurance Claims: A Comprehensive Guide Understanding the Importance of Commercial Roof Insurance Claims The Coverage and Claims Process Steps to Maximize Your Commercial Roof Insurance Claim Document the Damage...
Exploring the Role of Public Adjusters in Commercial Roofing Claims
What's In This Article Introduction The Complexity of Roofing Insurance Claims The Role of Public Adjusters Navigating the Claims Process Expert Damage Assessment Negotiating Fair Compensation Understanding the Claims Adjuster's Work Insurance Claims Adjuster vs....
Introduction to Roofing Insurance Claims
What's In This Article Introduction to Roofing Insurance Claims Understanding Roof Damage and Insurance Policies Do: Understand Your Insurance Coverage Don't: Delay Reporting the Damage Do: Document the Damage Don't: Start Repairs Before Documenting Damage Do: Choose...
Understanding Insurance Dealing with Adjusters
What's In This Article Understanding Insurance Dealing with Adjusters Why Are Roofing Insurance Claims Important? How to Deal with Insurance Adjusters What Damages Can You Claim? Understanding the Role of Insurance Adjusters Choosing a Reputable Roofing Contractor...
Debris Removal After a House Fire
After a house fire, even a small one, the property owner will likely have to remove damaged or destroyed items. However, debris removal after a house fire can be complicated by the presence of hazardous material, like damaged propane tanks. Typically, insurance carriers will cover the cost of debris removal up to a point. However, how much coverage your homeowners’ insurance will provide depends on the insurance company and the policy terms.
Salvageable v. Non-Salvageable Property After a Fire
If a fire has occurred at your home, your first concern, of course, is the safety of yourself and your family. However, depending on the extent of the fire damage, you will have to resolve the issue of salvageable v. non-salvageable property after a fire. Homeowners’ insurance protects your home itself (Dwelling Coverage) and its contents (Personal Property Coverage). High heat, smoke, and soot can cause extensive damage to your personal property, such as clothes, furniture, hardwood floors, and appliances. For instance, smoke damage causes fabrics, clothes, and soft goods to reek of the smell of smoke. Additionally, smoke and soot can discolor objects and reduce the life span of electronics and machinery. Consequently, you and your insurance company will have to determine which personal property is salvageable v. non-salvageable property after a fire.
Stay Up to Date With The Latest News & Updates
Don't Wait - Get More
Get a free 1 hour consultation on your next call. So call today and challenge the insurance company narrative on your policy claim. We can help you with all your public adjuster claims support. Let us help you get more.
Join Our Newsletter
Do you want to learn more about public adjusting. In this newsletter we create helpful tips and hints and you will receive notifications when we post new articles.
Follow Us
Follow us on the following social networks.
Recent Comments