Tips To Survive A Flood

Six steps to take in case your home has been flooded

When a flood warning has been issued, steps should be taken to protect your home, including sand bagging around your house. (Image by Wikimedia.org)

Heavy downpours seem to be a regular feature of our lives right now. Whether it’s global warming or El Nino, I don’t know, but the fact is our weather seems to be wilder and wetter. It’s heartbreaking to see families made homeless and flood water spoiling their lives and possessions. Then there are the floods that we make for ourselves. These are the days the washing machine leaks or the bath overflows. It doesn't take much water to make a home an unhappy mess. What is the best thing you can do if you are caught out like this?

Find the source and stop the flow

This is going to apply to those internal leaks and overspills. Get to the source of the problem as soon as possible. That means reaching in and turning off taps. That also means knowing where your water supply is located. Go to the stop cock or supply tap and turn off all water coming into the house.

Turn off the power supply

Your next direct concern will be to turn off the power supply in that area. If you can isolate one fuse box, that would be great, but you may have to turn off the entire power system. If water gets into even one live area it can cause a lot of trouble for you. Make sure that you have a working torch handy and know where it is located in case you are in darkness. Assemble everyone you can into one dry space and calm the situation down.

Can you deal with damage?

Assess the damage and decide whether this is a job for the emergency services or something that you can deal with. In the event of a kitchen or bathroom flood, you’ll most likely be able to deal with things initially.

Clean up as much as possible

Clean up as much water as you can. Take up rugs, and remove objects from the floor. You will more than likely need to contact your home insurance company. They will want to see the damage and disruption for themselves in advance of your claim. They will be able to offer you advice. This will include drying out any carpets and ensuring that all moisture is removed.

Whether it's an internal or external flooding, it can do a lot of damage to a home, requiring a complete clean up and mold removal. (Image by Pixabay)

Get advice on mold remediation

Once things have dried out, you will need to get some advice on mold remediation. This involves a professional company coming in and making sure that moisture is not causing the buildup of mold and spores. The problem often is that you may not notice these straight away so it will make sense to have a professional opinion further down the line.

Wild and Wet

If you are unlucky enough to suffer from severe water invasion, you’ll need to take more drastic steps. Your priority is you and your family’s safety. When it is safe to return the same heartbreaking process of assessment and drying out will have to take place. You can take heart from the fact that people and buildings do recover from these traumas. Again, your home insurance will be your best friend, and you should follow their advice to the letter.

A house can take a long time to dry out, so hopefully you will have somewhere to stay during this period. It might even give you the perfect excuse for a little rejuvenation and restoration. Depending on the amount of damage sustained, you might have to have drywall replaced. Hopefully, you’ll get back on your feet, and such devastation will not happen again. Get some tips to survive a flood.

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