House floods can be terribly detrimental whether they occur from a natural disaster or an unfortunate blown water pipe.
Water can cause immediate damage to prized possessions as well as long-term damage to structure and foundations. If the flooding is from a natural disaster, there are most likely a million other things running through your mind much less thinking about taking care of your home.
Though as one of our biggest life investments, there are several very important steps to take after a house flood. Here’s a list of what you can do to protect your home in the case of this unfortunate occurrence.
1. Avoid Additional Risks
Water and electricity together is a dangerous combination so the first step you should take in the case of a flood is to cut off the power. This protects you from any dangerous electrical currents or starting a fire. It’s also important to inspect your home for any signs of weakened structure that would make it dangerous to enter inside.
2. Document Everything with Photos
Start documenting the damage immediately for your insurance. This should be done before any repair work is started so you can show a visual representation of the full damage.
3. Gather Important Documents
Locate crucial papers such as your homeowners’ policy records, documentation of flood insurance, personal identification, and your proof of ownership. These documents are important to keep organized for when it comes time to file a claim.
4. File a Claim
The claims process can take days to weeks so it’s important to get this started as soon as possible. Even the smallest amount of water can cause great damage. It’s also important to note that your insurance may not cover the full replacement of all the destruction.
When you gather your insurance papers from your important documents, it’s smart to catch up on your policy so that you can fully understand the extent of the details when you go to file the claim.
5. Begin the Repairs
Once you’ve ensured that there are no additional risks and you have gathered your documents to file the insurance claim, it’s time to start the repairing process.
One of the most important steps to start on is to remove as much water as possible to avoid further damage of mold or mildew. From there you should start contacting professionals to handle further damage.
Be sure to keep all receipts for anything you buy so you can hopefully be reimbursed by your insurance for as much as possible.
A house flood can be scary and frustrating all at the same time. The most important step to take is to make sure you and your family are safe.
When you have ensured the safety of your loved ones and personal property, it’s time to start the process of recovering your home and taking these important steps.