Each year, hundreds and hundreds of homes in Florida and surrounding states are severely affected by floods and damage caused by water breaching the home. Natural disasters like hurricanes and torrential rains cause havoc on the structure of homes and the valuable belongings inside those homes. We see it all the time on the news but what if it happens to you. What do you do? Facing the aftermath of flooding or any disaster is a stressful and painful process for any homeowner. However, there should be immediate actions you take to avoid more damage to your property. Standing water in any home is a breeding ground for bacteria, parasites, and, of course, deadly mold. Flood water can also contain fertilizers and other harmful chemicals that may affect you and your families health and well being.
If you experience flooding in your home, remember do not lose hope. Spectrum Cleaning and Restoration has helped hundreds of people, just like you, restore their homes. If your property was impacted by severe flooding, follow these 7 useful tips to help rebuild the affected areas in your home and call Spectrum Cleaning and Restoration of SWFL to help assist you.
1. Take photos of all the flood damage in and around the home
Before you begin cleaning up after a flood, take the time to take as many photos of the damage in and around the home as a reference for your insurance company. Be sure to take detail shots of all the damaged areas you see to help substantiate your claim. Spectrum Cleaning and Restoration can assist you in this process so just give us a call.
2. Inspect your home for any other flood or water damage
Before you decide to move back in, you should first do a complete look over your entire house. This is when you can pinpoint possible safety risks, such as loose or downed power cables, affected gas lines, and any structural or foundational damage to the home. Its important that you review the stability of every corner of your house and make notes about everything that needs to be repaired or looked at.
3. Save furniture and important personal items that you can
Inspect the home and remove any water-logged furniture or personal items you find that can still be saved and put them in a safe, dry place. This step will help increase your chances of keeping or repairing these items, and you’ll have more room to move around as you begin your flood cleanup.
4. Remove any standing water
As we stated in the beginning, standing water contains harmful bacteria, so it’s wise to clean any standing water up quickly. Use heavy towels or a mop to soak up if there are only 2 inches of water or less. If water levels are higher than that, it’s best to use a water extraction pump or a bucket to remove the standing water. You can also use a standard wet-dry shop vacuum available at Home Depot or Lowes to suck the remaining water from the floor, walls, or other surface areas.
5. Allow excess moisture to evaporate
Using fans or dehumidifiers will help you dry out affected areas. In the case of cabinets or closet doors, it’s better to open them to improve any airflow and decrease the overall drying time.
6. Examine all salvageable items and clean them
Without a doubt, the most important part of the flood cleanup is wiping down and disinfecting all areas and items. You can easily clean hard surfaces with mild detergents, and non-bleach disinfectants can be used to sanitize areas. Be sure to deodorize any carpets or fabrics with baking soda, and for all porous materials like your rugs, air them out outside in the sun and heat.
7. Bring some normalcy back to your home
Get rid of and replace any items that are beyond repair. Look to rebuild various materials around the house, such as drywall, flooring, and cabinets. Know thaqt that not every item in the house can be saved but save what you can. What you don’t want is the opportunity for mold and mildew growth by keeping upholstered furniture or other items that are damp and not dry. Just know that flood cleanup is a time-consuming and laborious situation but there is hope at the end.
If you need help with your flooded home or water damaged home, Spectrum Cleaning and Restoration of SWFL provides a variety of water damage and water cleanup restoration services that can get the job done right the first time. Please contact us today if you see water, we are here 24/7/365.
