The First 3 Things You Should Do If Your Home Is Flooded

Whether caused by Mother Nature or a burst pipe, dealing with a flooded home can be a stressful and disheartening experience. Here are the first three things you should do to protect your property and your loved ones:

Play It Safe

Entering a building that’s been flooded can be dangerous: water can weaken the structural integrity of your home and wreak havoc on the electrical system. That’s why it’s best to stay clear until your house can be examined by an expert. If, however, you decide to go in beforehand, make safety your top priority. First, check the outside of the building, looking for signs of structural damage such as cracked foundations, missing overhead supports, or exposed gas lines. If any of these are present, stay away. If it does appear safe, proceed inside cautiously, with turning off the electricity at the main breaker or fuse box being your primary goal. Until you’ve done so, avoid standing water as it poses a serious risk of electrocution.Just remember that if at any point you feel uncertain of what to do next, or whether you can do it safely, don’t take a chance: call in a licensed professional for help.

Get Organized

Once you are able to safely enter your home, seek out any irreplaceable items, such as cash, jewelry, family heirlooms, and important documents. Try to resist the urge to clean whatever you pick up. At this stage, it’s best to focus on protecting your home, minimizing damage, and planning your next move. Once you’ve secured your valuables, get in touch with your insurance provider. The sooner you do, the sooner a claim can be filed and an adjuster can begin assessing the damage. Be sure to take lots of photos or videos of any affected areas and create a list of damaged items; doing so will help ensure your claim is processed quickly and that you get maximum compensation. Also, don’t forget to inquire about what professional clean-up services your policy covers and how you’ll be reimbursed.

Get Professional Assistance

Cleaning up after a flood can be a massive, not to mention dangerous, job. That’s why it’s best to contact an experienced emergency water damage and flood restoration team right away. At Aquamist, our licensed technicians will quickly and efficiently remove moisture from your home, help you determine what can be salvaged, and remove anything that can present a hazard to you and your family. And we’ll do it right the first time.If you’ve experienced flooding, Aquamist is here to help, 24 hours a day. Call us now!