Dealing with a flood in your home be an incredibly stressful and challenging experience. From the initial shock of seeing water rushing into your house to the overwhelming task of putting your life back together, it’s important to have a plan and work systematically to make your home liveable again. Here in Orlando, where hurricanes and tropical storms are an ever-present threat, many homeowners have experience with flood restoration.
Act quickly to limit damage
When flood waters start entering your home, your priority should be safety. Make sure all people and pets are out of harm’s way. Once you’ve secured safety, start taking steps immediately to limit water damage:
- Shut off electricity at the main breaker if there is standing water. Electricity and water are a dangerous combination.
- Move valuables and furniture out of the flood’s path. Elevate items off the floor if possible.
- Remove contaminated materials that absorb water like carpets, padding, curtains, and insulation.
- Open doors and windows so the water drains.
- Take photos and videos of all damage for insurance claims.
The quicker you stop the water from spreading and seeping into materials, the less restoration work will be required.
Call in the experts
While you take initial steps to contain damage, the water mitigation process should be left to qualified professionals. In Orlando, water damage companies offer 24/7 emergency services. As soon as it’s safe to enter your home, call a reputable company to begin the mitigation process. Professionals have specialized equipment like submersible pumps, dehumidifiers, and drying equipment to remove standing water. They use moisture meters and infrared cameras to find hidden water in walls and floors that could cause mold growth if left untreated. Most importantly, they follow established protocols to ensure structural stability and prevent further damage visit the website www.damagecontrol-911.com/.
Let the drying out begin
The most important step in any water damage restoration project is drying out the home and removing any residual moisture. Left unchecked, moisture allows mold to grow and compromises structural integrity.
- Extraction– Using truck-mounted vacuum systems, technicians will remove as much standing water as possible. For carpets, subfloor drying equipment draws moisture from the carpet pad and base.
- Dehumidification-To facilitate evaporation, high-powered dehumidifiers run continually until moisture levels are normal.
- Drying techniques– All wet surfaces are dried completely using air movers and dehumidifiers. Air movers circulate air to aid evaporation.
- Mold treatment-Any surfaces with mold growth are treated with an antimicrobial to remove contamination.
- Odor Elimination– Water damage often causes unpleasant odors. Ozone generators help remove odors and freshen the air.
Restore and rebuild
Once your restoration company confirms your home is completely dry, it’s time to start rebuilding. Check with your insurance company first – most standard homeowners’ policies provide coverage for repairs after flooding. Make a detailed inventory of all damaged areas and items so you get accurate quotes. Reconstruction either involves cleaning and repairing salvageable items or completely replacing unsalvageable materials like drywall and insulation. If the floodwaters contain sewage or contaminants, even more materials may need replacement for health and safety.
