3 Important Facts About Flood Damage Cleanup

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Storm water intrusion in a home in Kansas City, MO.

Understanding the Difference of Outdoor Floods

When heavy flooding occurs in Kansas City, MO, it can cause widespread damage throughout your home. From soaked drywall to standing water that can warp or rot wooden or carpeted flooring, flood waters can wreak havoc on every level of your house. However, before you begin the cleanup process, it is important that you understand the difference between storm floods and those that stem from plumbing problems, as the remediation and restoration for each can differ.

1. Storm Floods Are Usually Widespread

When violent storms cause flooding, the water can be difficult to control or divert. Even streams or creeks that spill over during heavy rain are capable of creating significant flood waters that can pour into your home. When this happens, almost any room can be affected, and unlike small plumbing floods, the water cannot be confined to one area.

2. Flood Water Is Contaminated

Flood damage cleanup presents a unique set of challenges because of the condition of the water. Overflowing sewers, animal waste and pesticides from flooded lawns can severely contaminate flood water and make it dangerous to handle. Experienced technicians that work at a storm cleanup and remediation service usually call this Category 3, as it did not come from a sterile source, such as a broken kitchen pipe or water line, both of which are generally considered Category 1.

3. Mold Growth Can Happen Quickly

Standing water that stems from heavy floods can increase the humidity in your home and accelerate mold growth on walls, ceilings and furniture. Having the rooms drained as soon as possible can decrease this type of water damage. However, if mold develops afterward, it is wise to ask your cleanup technicians to perform a flood cut in each room to ensure no fungi has spread into the interior walls.

Flooding can cause significant damage when it invades your Kansas City, MO, home. Understanding the difference between outdoor floods and those that begin indoors will likely make the cleanup process less stressful.