Hurricanes are an inevitable occurrence here in our area of FL. The ensuing damage that follows a hurricane is devastating and dangerous, and dealing with the aftermath is never easy. When your home floods during a hurricane, it’s a stressful and heart-wrenching experience but must be dealt with promptly to minimize damage.
Here is what to do when your home floods during a hurricane in Plant City, Lakeland, Winter Haven, and the surrounding central Florida areas.
Avoid Additional Risks & Protect Yourself
Before attempting to document any damage or enter the property after flooding, it’s important to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and avoid additional hazards. Floodwater is often contaminated by dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and other coliforms from raw sewage that has seeped into the water. Because of this, it’s recommended to wear protective clothing such as rubber knee-high boots and long-sleeve clothing. Mold is a common result of water damage, therefore you should consider wearing a surgical mask or respirator to prevent inhaling any potential mold spores in the air.
Once you arrive at your property, turn off any gas or power to prevent explosions, fires, or electrocution. The Department of Homeland Security’s disaster readiness website warns to avoid floodwater as it may be electrically charged from underground or from downed power lines. It’s always best to have a professional electrician check your home before turning the power back on and entering the premise.
Document Everything
Before you remove any water or make any repairs, fully document the damage for your insurance company by taking photos or videos of the property. If you start removing water, making repairs, or tampering with any of the contents before documenting the damage, you could potentially decrease the extent of your coverage.
When you call True Builders, our company’s disaster restoration contractors will come out to your property to assess the damage and determine if restoration or replacement is a viable option. If restoration is possible, our team will help you with the process of documenting the damage and filing a claim with your insurance company.
Remove Water if Possible & Wet Objects
Once it’s safe to enter your property, air out the building as much as possible and remove any wet objects. You want your home to get as dry as possible, as fast as possible. Open any windows to let fresh air circulate into the building and dry out the area as much as possible.
Remove any objects that have been affected by water and either dry them if they can be salvaged, or dispose of them. Throw out any spoiled food and remove rugs, upholstered furniture, bedding, and other items that retain water. These items can harbor mold and therefore should be discarded immediately.
Call a Disaster Restoration Contractor Like True Builders
Calling a disaster restoration contractor like True Builders immediately can help minimize further damage to your property and increase your chances for successful restoration. Our disaster and water damage repair contractors are highly skilled and have years of experience repairing properties damaged from hurricane flooding. We help dry your home and assess the structural integrity, perform a mold inspection and testing along with any mold remediation needed, and completely restore any damage to your home. Our company will also assist you in documenting the damage and fill out any paperwork necessary to file a claim with your insurance company.
If you have recently experienced a hurricane and your home has suffered damage from flooding in Plant City, Lakeland, Winter Haven, and the surrounding areas, call us immediately at (863) 647-1800! Our company will help repair any water and mold damage and restore your home so you can resume your normal lifestyle.