Flood water can cause a lot of damage in a house, this mostly happens in spring when the frozen ground warms up and the melting ice can get into your basements and flood it. A sudden downpour, broken gutters, leaking or burst pipes, or a damaged foundation can also cause flooding. The water not only accelerates growth of mold and mildew which affects the health of the house dwellers; it starts a rot that sets in slowly and ultimately destroys your house. Coming into contact with the unsanitary water without the right protective gear can also cause waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid and leptospirosis especially to children and the elderly. It is always advisable to hire the services of a qualified contractor to do flood water damage restoration, this not only stops further damage, it reverses the effects too. The water needs to be removed; the flooded area completely dried and sanitized then mold remediation and removal done. All this requires special equipment and personnel, restoring a flooded home to its initial condition is a complicated process that needs certified contractors. So what do you do when disaster strikes?
- Contact your home insurance company
When getting home insurance, ensure it covers all aspects of water damage, most policies will cover water damage if the cause is sudden or accidental. After a claim is lodged, they will send over their preferred water damage restoration contractor and inspector to do a full inspection of the extent of the damage. You can also hire your own contractor then seek payment once the restoration is done. Homeowner’s policies, however do not cover repairing the source of the water damage or providing a backup water source.
- Reduce your losses
To avoid electrocution; ensure power has been switched off by an electrician or at the main switch, find a waterproof suit, gumboots and rubber gloves and take out the furniture and appliances in the flooded room or basement. Protective gear is important because flood water may be contaminated by hazardous chemicals or raw sewage.
- Hiring a water damage restoration contractor
Doing a clean up after the house floods is time consuming; you need to have the right equipment to ease this daunting task. Moisture sensors are required to detect if water seeped into the walls. This is why hiring a certified contractor to do the restoration is always recommended. So, what should you look for when looking for a suitable flood and water damage restoration contractor?
- How experienced are they and are they certified?
The number of years in the business matter, the longer the better because when it comes to flood damage restoration; experience matters. Are they also certified by the International Cleaning And Restoration Association (ICRA). This standards body provides certification to many professions including those that deal with flood water damage restoration.
- What are the charges?
Compare the prices of the different companies that offer these services. Do they charge an inspection fee? Call their service lines and get the detailed analysis of what it is they do and for how much. Also explain fully the situation of your home after the flooding to get an estimate of the cost before inspection.
What does a flood damage restoration technician do?
Water can destroy walls, roofs, sewage systems, HVAC systems and the structural components of the house. Water damage restoration contractor’s aim is to get your house back to the way it was and prevent future occurrences of the same problem. They first pump out all the water, clean out the trash and mud, then use strong industrial fans and dehumidifiers to remove all the remaining moisture. Complete drying ensures that mold no longer grows and is also vital before repairs can be done. Sanitization of the whole area is also necessary if the flood water was contaminated. The final step is doing repairs to all sections that had been destroyed. A good flood damage restoration company does everything quickly and efficiently so that you can everything can go back to normal.
Remember to ask for advice on what to do to prevent such a catastrophe next time. Water damage restoration can be a pricy affair, but hiring an experienced restoration company like ours ensures you get the best rates and services. Don’t hesitate to call us anytime your house floods, our certified contractors are always ready to help 24/7. Browse through our website to get the full list of our services. We will help you mitigate the damages and restore your home to a better state than it was.