If you live in a flood-prone area, you may be wondering what you should do after flooding occurs in your home. You may be primarily concerned about your damaged property and possessions. It’s also normal and understandable to be under emotional distress due to what happened to your assets and investments. Fortunately—even amidst panic and stress—you can do your best to stay level-headed and prioritize your health and safety. To minimize damage, here are some important tips you have to take into account when you witness flooding:
– Shut Off Electricity
Flooding can affect your house’s electrical systems that can lead to the possibility of electrocution and fire hazards. Protect yourself and your family once your home starts to flood by shutting off all the electricity, particularly to the spots that could get flooded. Don’t forget to shut off your appliances in the basement, especially your furnace, washer, dryer, and freezer.
Note that there is a risk of you or your loved one getting electrocuted when working, even in the areas that the floodwaters cannot reach the outlets, so be extremely careful when dealing with electricity during a flood.
Also, don’t stand in water while turning off the electrical breakers or unscrewing the fuses. Stand instead on a plastic or wooden material that does not conduct electricity. Instead of your bare hand, use a piece of dry wood or a plastic or rubber pole to turn the switches off.
– Transfer Your Valuables to a Higher Area
Your belongings can get submerged in the water during a flood. Minimize the damage by transferring your valuables to a higher location. Prioritize moving the items that are irreplaceable or have sentimental value, such as family photo albums, heirlooms, yearbooks, financial documents, and more. They must also be placed in plastic, waterproof containers and on high shelves to protect them from flood damage.
– Inspect Your Sump Pump
Prevent flooding your house in the first place by regularly checking your sump pump. Clean it and test it by pouring water into it. The discharge hose should also be delivering the water a few feet away from your property to an area that slopes down from your home. Otherwise, the water can drift back towards your house and drain down into the foundation, which can increase the risk of a flood.
– Prevent Sewer Backup
Sewer backups often occur when stormwater enters the sanitary sewer and causes the system to overload and backflow the water into your house. You can easily prevent this from happening by making sure to cap or plug all sewer openings in your basement, including your sinks, showers, toilets, and floor drains. Opt for wooden plugs, screwed caps, or expandable plugs.
– Create an Evacuation Plan
You never know when a flood can impact your home, so it’s best to prepare for it by creating an evacuation plan. You can find the safest routes and determine where to find shelter during a flood by researching and contacting your local emergency government office. Make sure to practice the evacuation scenario with your family to know what to do during a flood.
Conclusion
When your household is prone to flooding, keeping you and your family safe and protecting your property from damage should be your priority. You may start to panic and grab a bucket to carry the water out of your house, but the best way to deal with the issue is to follow the tips listed above. Don’t hesitate to seek restoration services to make your home look as good as new after the disaster.
If you need flood clean-up in Edmonton, feel free to reach out to Nationwide Restorations. We offer water damage restoration for owners of residential, multifamily, and commercial properties. Contact us to get the help you need right away!