Flood Water Removal Guide for Homeowners

Floods can devastate communities and leave individual homeowners feeling like they have nowhere to turn. Fortunately, you can save yourself from anxiety, financial costs, and health risks by preparing for floods and removing water quickly after a flood. Steam Smart Pro has extensive experience with flood water removal and water damage restoration in Tucson, AZ, and would like to share the most effective ways to deal with flood water in the home.

Have a Plan for Flood Damage

When flooding occurs, you might have to evacuate your home at short notice. You will be in a better position to handle flood water removal later if you prepare. Have essential documents (insurance information, identification, first aid supplies, and so on) in an accessible but protected location. Know where to go if you have to evacuate. If possible, tape pictures or video before you leave to document your home's condition for insurance purposes and to guide restoration efforts.

Purchase Flood Insurance

Many homeowners don’t realize that ordinary homeowners’ insurance policies do not generally cover flood damage. If you live in an area with a high risk for flooding, purchase a flood insurance policy that covers you if a flood occurs.

Sump Pump

Installing a sump pump offers some protection in the event of flooding by moving water from your basement to the outside of your home.   

Protect Your Belongings

A sump pump and waterproofing might not protect you from a disastrous flood. In case floodwaters overwhelm your sump pump, avoid storing valuable items in cardboard boxes in the basement. Instead, keep them on high shelves or in watertight bins.  

What to Do When Flooding Strikes

Taking these steps during a flood emergency can save money and lives.

Stay Safe

If your local government issues an evacuation order, heed the warning as quickly as possible while the roads are passable. Do not drive through flooded roads because the water could prevent your vehicle from working and leave you stranded in a dangerous situation.

Assess the Damage

Flood damage can cause pervasive damage to every part of your home, and many kinds of damage are not immediately obvious. The lingering effects of water damage can cause further property damage for weeks or months after the floodwaters recede.

Contact Your Insurance Company

If you already have flood insurance when the flooding occurs, you will need to provide evidence of the damage as soon as possible. Depending on the terms of your insurance policy, you might have a limited amount of time to report information and file an insurance claim.

Turn Off the Power

Floods can create unsafe conditions when water contacts the electrical system. To protect yourself, your family, and your pets from electric shock, it is prudent to shut off the power until a qualified electrician can verify that the electrical system is safe.

Call a Professional Flood Water Removal Company You Trust

Flood water removal is an investment in the future integrity of your home. When you call a flood water removal specialist, confirm that they are licensed and qualified for flood water removal and have a good reputation in the community. Read the reviews on the Steam Smart Pro website for outcomes that homeowners should expect from their flood water removal company.

Water Removal and Water Damage Restoration Techniques

A professional water damage restoration or mitigation company will follow a step-by-step procedure to prevent further damage and restore the property as efficiently as possible.

Professional Water Damage Assessment

The water removal or water damage restoration company will inspect flood-damaged areas, estimate costs, and determine the equipment and technicians they will need for the job. The company will also look for signs of structural damage that could make the house unstable or unsafe.

Water damage restoration does not always go as planned. Expect that the company might encounter additional signs of damage after its initial assessment of the level of water damage.

Water Removal

Homeowners can remove some water using a wet vac, but for large pools of standing water, professional flood water removal specialists will have to bring in pumps to move the water out of your home. You might have to remove floorboards, tile, and carpeting to release moisture that collects underneath them during a flood.

Drying Out Surfaces

After flood water removal, water damage restoration companies use large fans and industrial-strength dehumidifiers to remove moisture from surfaces. Prompt action to dry out surfaces can increase the likelihood of salvaging building materials and prevent the spread of mold. Once professional cleans out the vents, the HVAC system can speed up the drying process. Keep the doors and windows open to maximize airflow when the house is drying out.

Eradicating Mold

Technicians will remove any drywall, wood, carpeting, or other materials contaminated with dangerous mold. A professional mold tester can test samples from your air and surfaces. Once they identify the mold and the extent of its spread, they will develop a protocol that mold remediation companies can use to treat your home.

Recovering and Replacing Your Belongings

If you have lost documents such as birth certificates, school records, and tax documents, obtain or print new copies, so you have them on hand. You might be able to recover some documents, photos, and other important items by gently removing them from the source of water and allowing them to dry out.

Documenting Flood Water for Insurance Companies

Your insurance company will want photographs or video evidence of the damage and documentation of the steps you took to protect your home from damage. Ask your insurance company what they need and hire a flood damage restoration company with experience working with insurance companies.

Efficient Flood Water Services from Steam Smart Pro

If you’re worried about flooding in your area, now is the time to prepare. Learn what causes basement flooding from the flood water removal experts at Steam Smart Pro. If your home has experienced flooding, a storm, or other natural disaster and needs water removal, call us at 520-416-4308 today.

Author Bio:

Eric Bullard

The owner of Steam Smart Pro in Tucson, AZ, brings over 20 years of invaluable experience in the field of carpet, tile, and air duct cleaning. With a strong dedication to quality and a deep understanding of effective cleaning techniques, Eric consistently delivers outstanding results to his satisfied residential and commercial clients.