Water damage is very possible when Living in Florida. Wherever you are in SW Florida, It can be Naples Fl, or Bonita Springs Fl, you are not too far from the beach. However, when nature acts up, your tropical dream could turn into a nightmare.
As a Florida resident, you may have to come to terms with the possibility of water damage. Since the state is made up mostly of coastline and is below sea level in some areas, flooding is one of the most commonly occurring hazards, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. In addition, basic plumbing problems could cause a flood even if you don’t live on the coast. If your home has recently flooded, then you know how this disaster can impact your livelihood. However, you may not know what steps to take in order to better your situation. If you need some information on how to handle a flood or any type of water damage in your Florida home, then read on.
Secure the Flooded Area
Floods can impact much more than just your property. They can also harm the people inside the home. For this reason, it’s important that you make some key checks to your home to avoid any possible harm to friends or family members. If the flood has taken place due to a natural disaster, be sure that the structure is sound enough to approach. Floods and water damage can damage the structural integrity of a building. That sort of damage can cause the structure to collapse. In addition, be sure that the power and gas are turned off, at least until you determine if those features have been impacted.
Remove the Water
It might sound like common sense, but the first step to take after contacting an insurance agent and securing the home would be to remove the water from the flooded area. Of course, be sure to get the okay from the agent before moving on to this step. You may need to make a purchase to get rid of the water. Most people use a sump pump, which is a tool that allows you to pump out water from an area. This tool can run you hundreds of dollars. That’s why many people choose to employ a water damage and restoration company that can effectively and quickly remove water from a flooded home.
Assess the Water Damage
Once you have insured your safety and removed the water, move around the home to figure out how much damage has been done. It’s important to check every area of the home, even if the flood was only concentrated in one section. Walls are connected and floors leak, so even if the flood only happened in the bedroom, you still want to check the adjacent rooms to ensure they have not been affected. If you miss something, that might go unchecked by the insurance agent. In turn, the insurance company won’t classify that as flood damage.
Take Pictures
Anything that requires an insurance claim should be backed up by proof. In this case, your proof can be photos of the flooded sections of the home. You may consider taking pictures before and after the water removal from the area. Showing the actual flood can help your claim. Likewise, documenting the effects of that flood can also help your case. When you make a claim, the insurance company will likely ask for photographic evidence so they can adequately assess the situation. Often, the money you’re entitled to come as a direct result of photographic evidence to support your flood claim.
Take Preventative Measures against Mold
Mold forms fast. In fact, it only takes about 24 to 48 hours for mold to start developing. Wet walls, floors, and furniture can result in lots of mold, which is not good. Mold causes several illnesses that can plague your home indefinitely. Also, once the mold forms, it can be hard to remove mold. Mold in walls, for instance, can be extremely hard to remove, since workers need to go inside the wall to remove the mold. To protect against mold, start by removing all wet materials, like rugs and comforters. Next, try to prevent mold growth by cleaning surfaces with a non-ammonia cleaner that is up to 10% bleach. Don’t go over the 10% though, as combining these cleaners can create lethal fumes. Most of the people choose not to handle mold removal on their own and prefer to call a mold removal company in FL.
Call an Expert
When your home floods, there is a lot of clean up and work to be done. Even though these steps may have provided you with an outline of how to approach that hard work, you still may miss something crucial. If you’re not a flood expert, it is possible that you may make a mistake in the process or have overlooked something extremely important. That’s why many people decide to contact a flood expert who can help them through the hard road ahead. By contacting people with the right information and know-how, you may be able to avoid a costly mishap. Likewise, you will probably lessen your stress levels overall. Lastly, one of the hardest aspects of dealing with the aftermath of a flood is feeling like there’s no one to help you. If you were to contact a Water damage expert, you may get the support you need. From managing water damage to dealing with your insurance company, the right help can make all the difference.