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.
|