For all that it sustains life on earth, water can also be one of the most destructive forces.

Ask anyone who has been the victim of floodwaters in their home.

If a flood has impacted your home, it’s normal to feel helpless and confused, unsure of where to start. So we’ve put together this list of water damage restoration tips to get your home on its way to recovery.

Remember, time is of the essence when it comes to water damage cleanup. If water is allowed to sit, it will continue to eat away at your home, eventually causing odors and worse – toxic mold.

Let’s get started.

1. Call Your Insurance Company

Don’t wait. Get your flood insurance company on the phone the minute you know you have water damage.

If there has been a natural disaster, especially, insurance companies are going to be inundated with claims. Get yours started as soon as you can.

The company will send an adjuster out to assess damages, but you can get started on cleanup right away.

2. Make Sure It’s Safe

Floods and the storms that cause them can cause more than water damage.

Before you enter your home, take a look at the structure to ensure it is safe to enter.

Once inside, keep an eye out for exposed wiring, loose ceiling tiles, and unstable flooring. Walk carefully until you are sure everything is safe.

3. Get Everything Out

Before you can start water damage cleanup, you have to empty your house.

Remove all the furniture, especially anything upholstered, as well as bedding, pillows, and rugs. Set aside what isn’t salvageable and set the rest out to dry. If you can, hire a service that specializes in emergency packout.

Don’t throw anything away yet. You’ll need the insurance adjuster to see the extent of the damaged belongings.

You’ll want to completely empty your home so that you can get started on the longest bit – drying everything out.

4. Start Drying Immediately

Hopefully, the flood left you with a few working fans.

Open up all the doors and windows in your home. If you have lots of standing water, it’s time to remove as much of it as you can.

If you have a shop-vac or water pump, you can use that to pump water out of your home. If not, break out the buckets and start bailing.

Once you’ve removed the majority of the standing water, set up as many fans as you can and start the air moving. Pick up a dehumidifier if you can, as well. The goal is to get as much moisture out of your house as possible.

5. Stay on Top of Mold

Mold is the big enemy here, and time is very much against you. Mold can start growing in as little as 24 hours.

Rip up any carpets and pads that have been in contact with the flood water. They aren’t going to be salvageable.

Open up any walls that have come in contact with water so that they can drain.

Remove baseboards and fixtures so they can dry out, and remove any mud or standing water you find trapped.

The Best Water Damage Restoration Tips From Trained Professionals

Water is one of the most damaging forces on earth, but with some quick thinking and action, you can save your home from the worst of it. Hopefully, you can use these water damage restoration tips to mitigate the damage.

To hear more about how we can help you recover after a flood, contact us today!