Flooding In Your Home After A Storm

1/30/2019 (Permalink)

If your home is flooded following a severe thunderstorm, there are various steps you can take to recover your home. It’s going to be a long process, involve a lot of tearing up, remodeling and time, but your home will go back to its original state eventually. Some recommendations include:

• Wear safety gear.
• Get rid of anything that can’t be cleaned (bedding, fabric flooring, upholstery, toys, linens)
• Throw away drywall and insulation that’s wet.
• Deep clean and scrub hard surfaces with hot water and dish detergent.
• Use fans, A/C units and dehumidifiers to speed the drying process.
• Wash all clothing touched by flood water with hot water and laundry detergent.

Be aware of electrical power lines, natural gas lines, frayed wires and any other hazards from flooding that could injure you. You should check with the gas company or the fire department before returning to your home to avoid injury. Do not return to your home during the day to avoid any accidents from being unable to see. You shouldn’t be allowed to return until the police or fire department say it’s okay. You should also not wade in standing water or around downed power lines, just in case.

If you need help with the big part of the recovery job — pulling up carpet, taking down drywall, removing appliances, so forth — you can SERVPRO of Catonsville to help you 410-242-7370. These professionals are licensed and experienced in handling situations like flood recovery and know where to start. They can also look out for disaster-specific issues like mold, foundation issues and the like.