Crucial steps in recovering from water damage

Flash flooding, broken pipes or a clogged drain can all end up in chaos if not dealt with quickly. The bathroom or other parts of the house can end up flooded and the water will damage flooring, furniture and cupboards.

It is important to know how to best recover from these situations so that the least amount of damage is felt long term.

  1. Electrical safety

This is the number one priority when it comes to cleaning up the mess from water damage. This means assessing the extent of the damage and determining what parts of the power circuit need to be switched off to ensure there are no additional risks. In some instances this may involve turning off the entire power to the home.

Should there be any uncertainties regarding the safety of the electrical wiring and the flooding, it is likely best to contact an electrician before getting the plumber in to help out.

  1. Water flow

Stopping the flow of water is also extremely important as it is only going to be making the damage worse. Knowing where your main water valve is to shut it off will ensure that the damage is as minimal as possible.

For the majority of households the valve will be situated underneath the water gauge. This can be found in some basements or outside in the garden. Have a look in advance so that should there ever be an emergency, you know where to find it.

  1. Insurance

Before conducting too much of the clean-up work, it is important to reach out to your insurance company so that all of the damage is covered. In the case of a natural flood, there is often a separate insurance required however for burst pipes and clogged drains these are usually covered in your household insurance.

Reaching out to them before beginning the clean-up will ensure that all of the damage is accounted for.

  1. Dry everything

Removing items from the flooded area is the first step. You don’t want furniture of other items sitting in the water continuing to soak it up and encouraging damage. Once everything has been removed from any remaining water find out what can be saved and what needs immediate attention.

Some items may require professional help to dry them out rapidly to reduce any further damage that could make it unsalvageable. Open all the windows to the room and use fans to help dry it out as much as possible.