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What Should I Do After a Flood?

October 28, 2020

Just a few weeks ago, the second tragic flood in two years struck Ellicott City, MD. While the level of flooding that occurred is not easily remediated, smaller floods due to heavy rain have become commonplace in many Maryland homes. What should you do if your home is full of water?

Prevent Further Risks

If the flood that happened was so severe that you needed to leave your home, you should take care when returning to the property. Check for structural damage like cracks, warping or holes before entering the property. You should also contact your utility provider immediately if you are concerned about damage to water, electric, sewer or gas lines. Turn off all water and electricity supplies to the home to prevent further hazards.

Take Photos

Before you remove water, you should thoroughly document the damage to your home in photos and videos. Your insurance company will need to see as much evidence as possible to determine what you will receive for the damage. If you remove water or items before you take the time to document everything, you could decrease your insurance coverage and be unable to afford the necessary repairs.

Protect You and Your Family

Even if the water sitting in your home appears to be clear and clean, there is a high probability that it has been contaminated by sewage, chemicals and debris. Before entering, you should put on waders or waist-high waterproof boots. You should get rid of any perishables that have had contact with the water. You should call a professional water remediation company like Flood Department.

Call Your Insurance Company

You should notify your insurance company as quickly as you can after a flood occurs. If the entire area around you has been affected as a result of heavy rains, remember that your insurance agent might be overwhelmed with calls. Most groundwater flood damage is not covered by the average homeowner’s insurance policy, so if you do not have flood insurance, you will also need to figure out what caused the flooding and what can be covered. If the cause was inside of your home (a pipe, for example), your insurance policy might cover more.

Stop Mold Damage

Once water has been removed, you should take immediate action to prevent mold from accumulating. Mold can rapidly develop within 24-48 hours of flooding. Anything wet inside of the home, like bedding and carpeting, should be removed right away. Again, you should photograph all flood-damaged items and contact your insurance company to make sure that throwing those items away won’t hurt your coverage.

Flood Cleanup from Flood Department

Flood Department can complete a wide range of mold removal, flood damage restoration and crime scene clean-up services. To learn more about our services and whether or not you have a mold problem on your hands, give us a call at (301) 829-2600.

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