Flood repair strategy

After the flood, most homeowners were worried about restoring their houses to their original condition. They think more about redecorating the space rather than repairing the damage. But this is not just a matter of cleaning up the water, repainting and replacing some carpets. Your first priority should be to ensure that your home is safe.

Water damage creates the perfect environment for mold and poor indoor air quality, leading to hay fever-type symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes. If your post-flood restoration work is not completed correctly, bacterial or mold contamination caused by water damage will affect the health of your family, not to mention the structure of your home.

It is important to act quickly because it will help prevent further saturation, damage, and mold spore growth.

1. Call your insurance company

Your first call should be your insurance company. You need to know exactly what your coverage is. Call them as soon as possible.

2. Hire a cleanup company

Any water in your home needs to be pumped out. All debris and anything that has been saturated must be removed. If there is sewage waste, additional preventive measures and professional help are needed. Call a professional.

3. Find a contractor

You will need someone with extensive experience in repairing water-damaged houses. Ask questions-don’t assume that every contractor knows what to do. Then conduct regular background and reference checks. Contact past customers—not just 3, but as many as possible—and ask about the quality of their work.

4. Hire a licensed electrical contractor

This is critical, especially when the water rises to your electrical panels, sockets, and/or switches, or if it enters fixtures and/or appliances. For safety reasons, you must have a licensed electrical contractor inspect your electrical before turning the power back on.