If you have come home to find your house damaged by flood water, you’re not alone. In 2017, $60 billion worth of flood damage occurred in America.
It can be quite upsetting to find your home and your possessions damaged by water. You may not know where to start with the cleanup, but stay calm.
Most flood damage can be sorted out, and possessions can be restored.
Read our handy guide to getting your home back to normal with a flood cleanup to find out more.
Dry Out
First of all, you need to make sure that no more water is entering your home. Then you need to remove as much water as you can.
Using a sump pump and/or a wet-dry vacuum is the most effective way to remove standing water. Running a dehumidifier in rooms that have been affected will also dry them out.
This process can take a while, but it’s important that your home is dry before you start the restoration.
Discard Damaged Items
Unfortunately, flood water may irreversibly damage some of your possessions.
Carpets and soft furnishings, such as rugs, cushions, and mattresses, may have to be discarded. Once they have become soaked in flood water, it’s unlikely they can be restored and they could be a health hazard.
Paper items like books, magazines, and even wallpaper may also have to go.
However, don’t be hasty to throw away furniture as this can often be salvaged.
Flood Cleanup and Mold Removal
Once you have dried up and discarded the worst of the affected items, you need to check for mold.
Mold can have devastating effects on your home and your health. Therefore, locating any patches of mold following a flood is crucial.
Mold and mildew can be removed using a detergent and bleach solution. Wear rubber gloves and protective clothing when removing it. However, if you’re not confident about eliminating the mold yourself, it’s advisable to hire a water damage restoration firm to help.
Repair and Restore
After you have dried your home and cleaned up, you can think about repairing any damage caused.
Wooden furniture can usually be restored after a flood. Once it has dried and been cleaned, stains can be sanded off. Water marks on walls and plaster will usually fade with time and can be easily painted over.
If you suffered a serious flood, you may need to replace some floorboards. While this may sound like a daunting project, it’s relatively simple and shouldn’t cost too much.
Home Advice at Your Fingertips
These handy tips can help you get your home back to normal after water damage and manage flood cleanup.
Make sure your home has thoroughly dried out before you start, and remove all traces of mold. Then the restoration process will seem a lot more manageable.
One of the main things to remember when your home has been flooded is to keep calm. The damage often looks worse than it is, and a lot of damage can be repaired.
For more advice on home repairs and interior decor, check out our other articles right here.