Flood Restoration Projects

     Flood restoration projects and water damage restoration can be defined as the process of returning a property to its pre-loss condition. This is not only limited to dealing with standing water, but also includes repairing any structural damages that were caused by flooding or simply exposed after water receded.

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     There are several steps homeowners should follow when restoring their property after flood damage has occurred. The first step involves immediately taking photos of rooms exposed to standing water and sending them to your insurance company via email or uploading them on their website. If possible, document the extent of damages using video or time-stamped photo sequences. It is important for you state clearly if there were electronics exposed directly to the flood waters since it may void certain types of coverage .

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     If your home's interior had suffered water damages, it is recommended that you shut off power to the home if there are any exposed electric cables. Next, you need to begin removing damaged furniture and belongings from your property . Floodwater may have mixed with sewage or chemicals so wearing rubber boots, plastic gloves and safety glasses would be wise precautions.

Once all of the water has been completely removed from the house, only then can drying out commence . Drying time varies depending on several factors including size of property, extent of damage , amount of airflow in rooms exposed , humidity levels etc. Humidity should always remain below 60 percent . If it does not, mold growth is inevitable, which can result in more costly repairs.

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     Once your flooring was filled with floodwater for long periods of time, it is recommended that they be replaced entirely . In most cases, carpeting can be removed and dry cleaned or taken to a professional for cleaning.

When drying out a flooded house , there are several steps homeowners can follow:

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     1) Remove items from home that were exposed directly to flood waters and place them in separate bags for disposal later on with your insurance company. Make sure not to leave anything behind for too long as mold growth will occur very quickly (24 - 48 hrs).

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     2) Using dehumidifiers and fans, ventilate affected areas.

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     3) Mop floors with disinfectants or soap solution to remove any dirt, chemicals or bacteria left behind by floodwater. You can also consider using a sealant after the floor is dry to prevent further deterioration.

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     4) After making sure that all surfaces are free of standing water, dry wet areas using fans if necessary . Make sure that furniture is not blocking airflow in affected rooms! When everything has been dried out completely , you are ready to begin replacing any damaged items left over from the incident. Hire qualified professionals to undertake carpentry work as it involves heavy machinery, hazardous tools etc.

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     5) Once all of this has been taken care of, install dehumidifiers in your home before turning on power again. This will help remove any excess moisture that may still be left behind after restoring electricity.

If walls were exposed to floodwaters, they must be cleaned carefully using disinfectants. Without doing so, there is a risk of developing respiratory problems or even diseases like hantavirus that can lead to death . All contaminated carpentry work should be replaced by professionals who are experienced with this type of restoration work.

All furniture and belongings which had water exposure must also be replaced . Clean mattress covers with baking soda instead of bleach as its fumes are extremely dangerous to inhale.

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     Remember, this is only the basic process to follow when your property has sustained flood damage . Every job will require different steps to be taken depending on its size and extent of exposure. Speak with your insurance company before hiring any contractors for repair work as they may provide you with referrals.

If water damage occurred due to sewage backup or grey water flooding, property owners may need additional coverage under their insurance policy since these situations are considered high risk .

Contact us to help with you flood restoration projects!