3 Things To Do After Your Home Has Been Hit by a Flood

4/20/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding in Kansas City home.

Unexpected flooding has left many families with major damage to their homes. The cleanup efforts following these disasters are often complicated and should be done swiftly to limit the damage. Besides the water damage to your home and belongings, floods can lead to mold growth and odor that can make your home an uncomfortable place to be. In the event of a flood in Kansas City, MO, there are three steps you should take immediate to start the cleanup process.

1. Contact Your Insurance Agent

If your insurance policy covers flooding, work with your insurance agent to set up a visit from an adjuster. During this time, be sure to take pictures and document all the damage. You may need these not only for insurance claims, but also for any disaster relief applications.

2. Clean, Disinfect and Deodorize

Use a shovel to get rid of any mud on your floors and a water hose to rinse off your walls and other hard, non-porous surfaces. The faster you can clean off the mud, especially on the walls, the better chance you may have to keep them from being ruined.

To prevent or limit mold growth as well as the eventual odor that comes with it, you should disinfect all non-porous surfaces that contacted the flood water. This should be done as soon as possible as the odor can be difficult to treat once the mold begins to set in.

Take your furniture, upholstery, rugs and other porous items outside to dry as soon as the weather allows. You can clean some of these items yourself, but others will likely need special attention from a professional.

3. Contact a Professional

Once you’ve completed these initial steps, it can be helpful to work with a professional to fight against any sewage loss, mold and other side effects of flooding. A restoration company can provide the right tools to clean up and dry out your walls, wood and carpet floors and belongings.

Flood water rushes in, but the damage and resulting mold growth can stick for a while. With these tips and the help of professionals, you can get your home (and life) back in order.