Effective Strategies for Dealing with Flooding
Floods are unfortunately a natural occurrence that cause more than $7 billion in property destruction each year. They are the biggest natural disaster in the United States and on top of structural destruction, they cause up to 150 or more deaths annually. If you have had to deal this disaster, you already know the painstaking steps it can take to repair the damage caused.
While damage from water surge can be catastrophic, there are a few steps that you can take to be prepared to deal with the overflow as it happens and even to recover after the harm is done. Whether you live in an area that is prone to flooding or you may have leaky pipes, be sure to keep this information handy to help you prepared, keep yourself and other safe and effectively get things cleaned and working again when this is over.
Preparation
- Insurance: If you have homeowner’s insurance, chances are that it does not include flood insurance. This is something you need to purchase separately from your homeowner’s insurance policy.
- Block the path: Building a levee around your property can help block water from reaching your house.
- Electrical Systems: Your electrical system should be higher than 12 inches or more above elevation.
- Dry Proof: Areas that are below the level of flooding should be dry proofed before a flood hits. This means that waterproof sealant should be used on windows and put over doorways to prevent it from getting in. Sandbagging doors and windows before the water surge arrive can also deter it from entering a house. For best results, don’t wait until the last minute to try to buy sealant or sandbags. If you have a dry space to store these items, start buying them a little at a time to build up your supply.
During the Disaster
- Don’t panic: Panic can lead to poor decision making and if your home is overflowing, you need to stay calm and be able to think coherently.
- Watch the news: Stay tuned to your local news for updated information on which path a storm is taking. Keep extra batteries on hand so you can listen to the news on a radio if your television goes out. Make sure mobile devices are fully charged ahead of time and do not use them unless it is urgent.
- Stay away: Many people are tempted to try to drive through rising water to evacuate an area. Do not attempt this. Mother nature tends to arrive with a vengeance and will take anyone or anything in her path. Not only do you risk your own life, but you also risk the lives of others who may try to save you.
- Move up high: When you are in your house and it continues to rise, move to a higher floor, or if you don’t have a higher floor, head to the roof and wait for help. Due to electrical wiring, staying inside when it is rising inside the house can be deadly.
Move up high.
When it is over, it’s time to check the damage to your home and see what, if anything, can be salvaged or repaired. For many people, a water surge causes devastation and a will be a complete loss. In instances such as this, it is going to be up to the insurance company to replace or repair the breakage. For others, there may be breakage that can be repaired.
- Check the home: Be very careful when you go back inside your residence after the disatster. If moisture is still present and has not gone down, stay away until it recedes. Once you can enter, be on the lookout for snakes, rats and other animals as they will often be present in a residence. You also need to check for signs of gas leaks, electrical damage or power lines or chemical leaks.
- Dry the house: Mold and mildew can set up quickly if given the right circumstances. Mold only needs a little wetness, warmth and time to grow and can start growing within a mere 24 hours. Remove all wet items from the house and put them outside where they can dry and have plenty of space to ventilate so mold won’t have a chance to start growing.
- Call a Plumber: Many people only think of a plumber when a pipe busts or a faucet won’t stop leaking. There are many plumbing companies who can come out after a major water overflow and extract it from the home while also repairing other breakage to pipes and sewage.
Once it is all cleared up, use a de-humidifier in the residence for a few weeks to ensure none is left behind. An air purifier is also a good idea to prevent mold growth and to keep the air clean for your family to breathe after a surge has been through your area.
If you have experienced a water surge and have damage, be sure to contact Anytime Plumbers to have your residence inspected by a licensed plumber to ensure there is no damage to your pipelines or other plumbing material. For fast service and estimates for work needed, you can call 831-431-6593.
