What to Do When Rain Causes Indoor Flooding

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What to Do When Rain Causes Indoor Flooding

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Indoor flooding can inflict severe damage on your home or business. Whether caused by inclement weather, plumbing failures, or other factors, it’s crucial to know how to safeguard your property, mitigate health risks, and recover repair costs through insurance. Follow the steps outlined below if you experience a flood or serious water damage from the rain and take preventive measures to avoid costly damage in the future.

Steps to Take After Flooding from the Rain

If your home has been flooded after heavy rain, you might be uncertain about what to do next. We’ve outlined the necessary steps for you below, and we’ll explain each one in detail. Here’s what you should do if your home has experienced flooding:

    • Find the source of the water and try to stop it:

    If you are dealing with a natural disaster like rain from a storm, you may not be able to take this step, however, in any case try to shut off the water or seal it up. It is crucial to know where the main water valve is before the flood so that you can shut off the water in case there is an emergency.

    • Shut off the electricity:

    Once you’ve stopped the source of the water, you should shut off any electrical systems in your house. You should never try to walk to the fuse box through the water to do so. If you are unable to reach the fuse box without stepping through the water, you should call a professional electrician.

    • Leave the premises:

    If you have a sewage leak or a pipe that has burst, you should evacuate the premises and find a dry, safe spot in your home. You may have to go to your backyard or to your neighbor’s. First ensure that you’ve accounted for all your family members, pets, and friends and make sure they are not hurt.

    If you are dealing with a natural disaster, seek temporary shelter, check with local authorities or listen to local news. Make sure everyone goes to a safe shelter right away.

    • Get help:

    Once all your family members and pets are on dry ground, make sure to call for help. If you need medical attention, call 911. No matter what is happening with your home that is flooded, your focus should be the well-being of your family. Once you’ve ensured that your loved ones are well, reach out to proper parties so you can start the recovery process.

    • If you are a renter, call your landlord:

    Once you ensure that everyone in your home is safe, reach out to your landlord to let them know what happened.

    • If you are homeowner, call your insurance:

    Make sure to call your insurance provider and let them know that your home has water damage. Clarify with them if you need to wait for an adjustor before you begin cleanup and repair processes.

    • Document everything:

    If you’re wondering what to do in the event of a flood, your first instinct might be to start cleaning up. However, it’s crucial to document everything to provide a clear record for your insurance. Use your cellphone to take videos and pictures of all the damage.

    If your home has damage from sewage or other hazardous materials, you will need to make sure not to touch it. Before you get into the home, use the appropriate gear such as a suit, proper boots, masks etc.

    • Begin the cleanup process:

    It is very difficult to clean up after a flood. All water will need to be removed, items that can be saved will need to be moved out of the way, and the space needs to be cleaned, dried, and disinfected. All this needs to be done wearing the proper gear so that any contact with bacteria can be avoided.  

    • Preventing damage from mold:

    When you experience a flood, you are dealing with major water damage to your property. However, another type of damage you can experience is mold. This is a very big problem after floods, and toxic mold or black mold has major health effects on humans. To avoid mold issues, it is necessary to keep flooded areas dry and treat the problem areas with a cleaner such as with bleach.

      Flooding is Always Possible – Be Prepared

      Flooding can strike anywhere at any time due to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, making it challenging to anticipate. Whether from heavy rain, a flash flood, or a hurricane, the damage to your property can be substantial.

      The cost of restoration after these incidents typically ranges from $1,000 to $4,500 on average. However, if additional repairs are needed, expenses can escalate into the thousands. Water damage is not only costly to repair but can also decrease your property’s overall value and pose health risks.

      Preventing Flooding from Rain at Your Property

      While it’s possible to repair your property after a flood, prevention is always the best strategy. Here are some steps you can take to protect your property from flooding:

      • Install a smart home security system which has flood detection.
      • Use sensors for water leaks so you can know if there is unwanted water at your property.
      • Use a sump pump so you can prevent water damage and cleanup in case you do have flooding.
      • Use a waterproof safe for all your important documents.

      Professional Water Damage Restoration

      Contact NuEra

      Have you experienced water damage at your home or business? NuEra Enterprises, Inc., professionals can handle all types of indoor flooding. Our technicians are well trained professionals and use the proper methods and equipment to help you with water damage at your property. We will clean, dry, and restore your property back to its original state. If you’ve experienced basement flooding, make sure to give us a call at (847) 217- 1036 to learn more about our full range of water damage restoration services.