Flooding in your home is a major issue that can cause water damage and mold growth, amongst other things. The process of getting everything cleaned up is time-consuming and potentially dangerous if not handled properly. While we associate flooding with rainy weather, did you know that flooding during the winter is also pretty common? You should try to prevent flooding from occurring all year round, not just in the warmer months. Today we’re going to look at what causes flooding during the winter and what you can do if you experience this kind of flooding. We’ll also discuss why flood cleanup is necessary!
What Causes Flooding During the Winter?
Flooding during the winter tends to work a little differently than in the rainy season. While the result may ultimately end up being the same, the source of the flooding can be a bit different. The two biggest culprits are snow and ice. Generally, you’ll come across ice forming in areas around the outside of your home. However, it’s when temperatures heat back up that you have to worry the most. Both snow and ice will start to melt, which can run off into your home since the ground is too frozen to absorb it like it normally would.
Another cause would be your pipes freezing and then bursting. This is pretty common during the winter time as pipes that aren’t properly insulated can freeze, causing a blockage that eventually causes the pipe to burst.
How to Deal with Flooding in Your Home
So now that you know what can cause flooding during the winter, how do you deal with it if it occurs? It’s recommended that you call a professional to handle flood cleanup. Doing so not only ensures that the job gets done correctly, but that you and your loved ones stay safe during the process. That being said, here are the steps that should be taken in order to deal with flooding in your home.
Assess the Damage
First, assess the severity of the situation. Are we talking just a few puddles or are you waist-deep in water? How much water needs to be cleaned up? How risky is it to handle? These are all things you should consider when looking at your flooding situation.
Turn Off the Power
If it’s possible, you should turn off the power. If flooding is high enough, it can get to your electrical box. This will cause issues in your home and could be life-threatening to you. This is why it’s recommended that a professional comes in to handle your situation. You can stay out of harm’s way while a professional can take care of this step.
Drain the Excess Water from the Area
Getting the water out is crucial. This is not only the point of the process, but it’s also necessary to deal with any other water damage that can occur from a flood. It’s recommended that you use a sump pump or a shop vac that can remove all of the excess water.
Remove All Water-Damaged Items
Next, you want to get rid of anything that already has water damage. This includes boxes, carpet, furniture, and the like. This not only makes the area easier to clean and repair, but it also removes anything that could grow mold and make the situation worse.
Treat the Area for Mold
This is where a professional can really come in handy. Removing mold isn’t as easy as spraying the entire area with bleach. Mold is very difficult to kill. It requires a special industry-standard cleaner, applied by a professional, to remove.
Remove the Remaining Moisture
This last step is essential for not only dealing with water damage in the area but also to prevent mold growth. Typically, a dehumidifier is run to try and absorb as much moisture from the area as possible. This helps kill mold, prevent it from growing, and also makes it easy to do any further repairs that may need to be done to the flooded area.
If You Need Help with Winter Flooding, Call PNW Restoration
With winter being here, you may run the risk of flooding from snow or ice, or pipes bursting from the cold weather. Whatever the reason, PNW Restoration is here to help you with our 24/7 emergency service line. Give us a call at (503) 352-5209 if your basement floods. We can send our emergency team over immediately, have them assess your situation, and take the right precautions to handle flood cleanup.
