The worst part of a flash flood is that it can strike suddenly without giving you much time to prevent it or take reasonable precautions. The result is that your house can get severely damaged due to water clogging and flooding. Failure to take immediate action can also lead to water damage, structural risks, and contamination. Thus, knowing how you will respond effectively to a flash flood becomes essential. So, here we have a complete list of how to handle flash flood damage.
What is a Flash Flood?
If there is heavy rainfall, dam failure, storm, hurricane, or overflowing river, it can generate a flash flood, which occurs rapidly. Due to its nature of generating unexpectedly and quickly, it becomes difficult to take appropriate action in time to limit its effect.
Ways to Handle a Flash Flood
Implement the below measures to handle flash flood:
Assess the Damage Safely
If you are in a flash flood, you must ensure your home is safe before entering. You have to look for hazards like structural instability, which can lead to the collapse of walls or ceilings, the presence of live electrical wires in standing water, and water contamination due to sewage backups.
Remove Standing Water
If there is standing water, you must use pumps and wet and dry vacuums to clear it. You can also use a bucket to clear out the water. Most importantly, you must clear the water from basements or low-lying spaces on a priority basis, as these areas endure the most damage. Also, you must wear protective gear while cleaning the water to avoid contaminant exposure. You can leave the task to professionals to reduce the chances of health hazards.
Dry the Area Quickly
Mold can grow in moisture-trapped areas, and flash floss provides the perfect environment for its infestation. Thus, it is essential to dry the area faster and prevent mold growth. You have to keep the windows open and use fans. To dry the hidden areas, nooks, and corners, you have to deploy dehumidifiers that can remove moisture from walls, floors, and furniture. If the situation is severe, rely on industrial drying equipment through professional services for efficiency.
Clean and Disinfect
It is quite common for flood water to contain harmful bacteria and debris, so you need to be careful while handling it. You have to sanitize all the surfaces and personal belongings that were exposed to floodwater. To avoid long-term health hazards, you have to discard unsalvageable materials, which include soaked drywall and insulation. Based on the extent of damage, you should hire experts for quality home renovation Queens NY.
Document for Insurance Claims
Floodwater can cause massive damage, and insurance compensation can only cover expenses. Thus, it is essential to document the areas and take detailed photos and videos of the damage, which would help you file the insurance claim. You must include structural issues, damaged belongings, and rise in water levels to strengthen the evidence list.
Summing it Up
You must handle the flash flood carefully, so it is always recommended that you leave the work to professionals, such as zicklincontracting.com. They have specialized equipment and expertise for water removal and drying processes, structural repairs, and mold prevention and remediation.