There is no doubt that flooding can be one of the costliest and overwhelming disasters to hit your your home. Beyond the water, flooding can cause tremendous hidden damage for homeowners. According to forecasters, this fall is going to be a very wet one. Hopefully, you’ve taken measures to flood-proof your home, but in the off-chance that you do experience a flood, here are some tips for dealing with it effectively.
Get the correct tools.
The first thing to do is to gather the correct supplies to clean up your home. Here is what you will need.
-An outdoor broom with stiff bristles.
-A mop.
–Buckets. (One for water removal and one for disinfectant.)
–Sponges.
–Bleach.
–Trash bags.
–Rags or towels.
–Rubber gloves.
Get rid of the water.
The most important step in this process is removing the water from your home as quickly as possible. While using buckets may seem like a logical choice, the most efficient way to remove water is with the help of a sump pump. If there is too much water in your home and a sump pump is simply not going to be effective, be sure to call a professional for assistance.
Prevent mold growth.
Besides the water itself, mold is the biggest problem caused by flooding. If your home is carpeted be sure to use a wet vac or other vacuum to dry it immediately. For other types of flooring, clean up as much water as you can, and then run fans to dry them completely and prevent any warping.
No matter how strong you think they are, walls can also become the perfect place for mold to grow. Clean all plaster, cinder block, or concrete walls with warm, soapy water, then disinfect with a bleach and water solution. Unfortunately, drywall and insulation retain water, so if they sustain flood damage, they will need to be ripped down and thrown away.
Check for the unexpected.
During a flood, water is able to get into every crevice of a room and cause damage. One place to inspect after a flood is your HVAC system. Flooding can affect the fans, wiring, and gas connections of your HVAC system and other appliances. If you suspect that there may be any possible mold growth in your appliances, turn them off immediately and seal any vents or duct. After, have them professionally inspected to determine if they are salvageable or must be replaced.
Documentation is key.
When assessing the losses caused by home flooding, it is important that you document everything. Devote an entire day to compiling a list of things that were lost. Along with the list, be sure to add the approximate value to each item. This information is not only important for your insurance company, but also to the IRS. Federal tax deductions can be claimed by those who have suffered through a flood or other disaster. For more information on possible federal tax deductions please see the link below.
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p547/index.html
Quick clean up after a flood is one of the most important steps you can take as a homeowner. By knowing what to do in the event that you are coping with the after effects of a flood and then implementing those tips quickly, you can prevent further damage to your home. And don’t forget that there is help if you need it. Be sure to contact your local Red Cross for important information and assistance.
With over 30 years of basement waterproofing experience, Ameri-Dry offers patented, permanently dry systems that are backed by a full lifetime warranty. For more information about Ameri-Dry and Ameri-Dry Guy, visit (www.keepamericadry.com), follow Ameri-Dry on Facebook or Twitter.
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