6 Things You Should Do if Your Space gets Flooded

One of the most damaging and devastating things you can ever experience as a space owner is a flood. The current flooding issues that residents of Lagos Island are facing was caused majority by sewer blockage due to pure water sachets and inappropriate drainage channeling. No matter the cause, you should still know what to do if your Space floods. Taking care of the problem earlier will help reduce the amount of damage after and will make clean-up and repair easier.

1. Safety First

The first step in any major Home/Office disaster is to remain safe. You may be forced to leave your space if the flooding is bad enough. Make sure you are also safe when you return to your space to begin dealing with the aftermath. This may include turning off the power, as water and electricity obviously do not mix.

Be sure to wear protective clothing–such as rubber boots and gloves–when you re-enter your space. Not only will you be dealing with the water itself, but also whatever else the water has been in contact with, namely debris, sewage or even animals (Someone actually caught a crocodile yesterday in VGC).

It is best to protect yourself against whatever harmful chemicals and items the flooding may have washed in.Be sure to never eat food that has been contaminated by flood waters, or even in close proximity to the water for an extended period of time.

If the water was high enough to reach your refrigerator or any of your pantry cabinets, it is the safest practice to go ahead and throw the food away and just buy more. Be sure to thoroughly wash any dinnerware, glasses, and flatware that might have been caught in the house flood before you use it again.

2. Stopping and Removing Water

One of the first things you should do when your space floods is stopping the source of water coming in if at all possible. The sooner you stop the water from coming in, the sooner you can get to cleaning up and repairing any damages.

After that, it’s time to remove the water.Depending on the level of flooding you have experienced or even the spaces in your building that have been affected, your process might change. You may need to bail water out using buckets and bins or use hoses to drain large amounts of water from your basement.

As the water begins receding, you can use a wet vacuum to suck remaining bits of water and moisture from carpets and floors. If you’re lucky and the damage is minimal, you might be able to simply mop the mess up.

3. Drying Out Your Space

Even if you are successful in removing all of the standing water from your space, everything will remain damp and wet, especially if heavy rains have increased the humidity in your area. If you have electricity, use your air conditioning and portable fans to help dry the wet areas of your home.

Vacuum cleaners are also a big help, especially in closed off spaces such as basements or crawl spaces. Vacuum cleaners work by removing excess moisture and dust from the space. This is the easiest way to dry out your home and minimise the potential water damage you might be dealing with, as it does not require you to actively clean.

4. Calling the Insurance Company

Your space insurance will vary depending on what policies you have, but many insurance companies cover flooding due to storms, backed-up city sewers and storm drains. The insurance company will send an adjuster to look at and assess the damage and determine if it is a covered loss.

If your losses and damages are covered, the sooner you call the insurance company, the sooner they will pay out. Repairs can become costly, but the insurance money will help get your home back in order quicker with less of a financial burden on you.

5. Clean-Up

Once the water is gone and you have called your insurance company, it’s time to begin post-flood care. You can book a professional clean-up crew on websites like www.wesabi.com or else begin work yourself. This may involve determining what is salvageable and throwing away anything that is too damaged or no longer safe to use.

If the flooding in your space was widespread, you may have to bring in a roll-off dumpster for easy disposal of larger damaged items, as you will find your trash bags filling quickly.

Be aware that you may need to remove flooring, drywall, and insulation to prevent mold and mildew from spreading in your space. Furniture may also need to be dried out, cleaned or thrown away depending on the level of water damage.

Unless you are exceptionally handy, it is probably best to call in a professional company that specialises in mould removal. Mould can begin developing within the first 24 hours after a flood, and once it has started growing it can be difficult to fully remove.

The quicker you remove items from water and begin drying them, the less likely they are to be lost to mould, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution and have a professional assess the situation.

6.Repairs

The aftermath you’re space getting flooded can typically take the longest amount of time. You may have broken windows from the water rushing in, flooring that may need to be replaced, and broken possessions in need of repair. After your insurance company pays out for qualified damages, you can hire a contractor if one is needed. Be sure to board up any broken windows and remove any harmful debris from flooded areas.

If you have electronics that we’re submerged in water or we’re damaged in the flood, make sure to have them checked out by a professional before plugging them back into a power source. This includes your Microphone, stereos, consoles, computers, and appliances.

In all, the best mode of action to take is to stay calm and the recovery and repairs would be a much smoother process.