Learn 5 necessary steps to take if your home has flooded
Your house can get flooded from anything like a water pipe breakage to a natural disaster. However, one thing that remains the same is that it can cause severe damage to your home. Rescuing a flooded house is a race against time when it comes to mold, seepage, and water damage to the structure. It can also cause carpets and other upholstery to stain, making it difficult to clean on your own.
What Are The Risks Of Tending To A Flooded House?
Tending to a flooded house to fix damage can be risky. Water is sometimes a few feet high and already in contact with the electrical wiring of the house. Moreover, it can drag broken pieces of glass and ceramic with it, which can hurt someone who isn’t wearing protective gear. If the water has been in the house for a few days, any dead animals could contaminate it with germs.
Here are some of the risks associated with a flooded house:
- Electrocution
- Injury via sharp objects
- Potential diseases
- Drowning
Important Steps To Take When Cleaning A Flooded Home
Disconnect Electricity and Turn Off The Gas
- One of the most important steps to take after your house has been flooded is to turn off electricity and gas. This will reduce the chances of you getting electrocuted when you step in to clear out the water and debris. Cutting off the gas is important to prevent any accidental fires or poisoning by breathing in the gas. If the electricity and gas are left on, it could be fatal for anyone who enters the flooded house.
Examine The House’s Stability And Structure
- To clear out the house, you must first examine if it is safe to enter and work with. In most cases, the structures of buildings are severely compromised during a flood and can collapse at any moment. Check for cracks in the walls and any major signs of damage. If any part of the house’s structure has fallen, avoid those areas and try and work on the ground floor near exits.
Remove Any Water From The House
- The next most important part is to remove water from inside the house. You can do this through a pump or by using buckets to throw it outside. You must remove the water as quickly as possible so that it does not seep into the structure of the house. In case your basement has been flooded, remove the water in three days, one-third at a time. This is important as it will ensure stability to the structure of the house
Shovel Out Mud Before It Dries
- Flood water drags in mud and debris with it. When you have finished removing the water from your house you will be left with a sludge of mud. It is important to remove this mud before it dries because that is hard to handle. The best way to do so is to take shovels and remove the mud. You can also scrape it off the walls and floor once it has been significantly removed.
Discard Wet or Contaminated Material
- A large portion of your belongings will become contaminated after your house has been flooded. It is important to salvage what you can and discard what you must. After you have discarded wet and contaminated materials from your house, you will move to disinfect them thoroughly. You must get rid of most things that absorb water and keep solid furniture and belongings instead.
Love Your Carpet offers professional flood restoration services throughout Las Vegas Valley. We offer various cleaning solutions for all kinds of carpeting as well. You can contact us at 702-898-6070 for a consultation or book an appointment.