Can you repair flood damage? The answer is that it depends. Though a flood restoration company helps mitigate the damage, some upholstered items may be unsalvageable. Here’s everything you need to know about flood damage:
Common Causes of Floods
Floods are generally natural disasters. Depending on the situation, floods are the result of:
- River flooding
- Tropical storms/storm surges
- Levee failures/dam breaks
Though these can happen, flash floods are one of the most common. A flash flood is typically the result of heavy rainfall, which in Portland is very common.
Unfortunately, a flash flood can be difficult to prepare for because of how quickly it happens. However, if you do receive a flood warning, there are a few steps you can take to mitigate the severity of damage to your home:
- Shut off all the electricity. Remember, water and electricity don’t mix. Turning this off will ensure your safety when you re-enter your home. If you have ample warning, you should label all of your fuses and circuit breakers just in case.
- Move/cover upholstered or expensive furniture beforehand. If you have time, try to move expensive, upholstered furniture somewhere the flood won’t get to, such as your second floor. Or if you can, try to keep valuables on a counter or somewhere safe. The more things there are on the floor, the less likely it is you’ll be able to salvage them once the flood is over.
- Use sandbags to protect your home. Sandbags work as a barrier against water, so they can help reduce the amount of water that gets inside your home.
- Learn more about your insurance coverage. Making repairs after a flood can be costly, especially when you have to replace your personal items. If you’re able, call your insurance company to determine if you have flood protection. If you don’t, see how you can sign up for it.
But what if you don’t have time to prepare for a flood? If a flood occurs, what should you do?
Steps to Take After a Flood
After a flood, you should first make sure it’s safe to re-enter your home if you evacuated. If you were able to turn off the electricity beforehand, you should be fine. However, if you weren’t, wear the proper protective gear before you re-enter. Your protective gear should include rubber gloves, a face mask, eye goggles, and rubber boots. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this or the flood is too severe to handle yourself, call an electrician for help.
Your next call should be to a professional flood restoration company. Little leaks are easy to take care of yourself, but a flood is another animal. Your flood repair team will remove the water from your home safely and effectively. Then, they will use a dehumidifier to grab excess moisture from the air to prevent mold. Unfortunately, mold grows in as little as 24-48 hours after water exposure. The sooner you remove water and moisture from your home, the less likely it is that mold will grow.
In addition to drying out your home, professionals will disinfect the area, too. Floodwaters are hazardous because they contain human and animal waste, chemicals, and other types of bacteria. With proper disinfecting, your flood restoration team will protect you and your family against sickness.
Salvageable Items After a Flood
Repairing items will depend on the severity of the damage they incurred. However, in most cases, the following items can typically be salvaged after a flood:
- Household appliances
- Drywall
- Floorboards
Items That (Usually) Can’t Be Salvaged After a Flood
Unfortunately, some items are much more challenging to save after a flood, such as:
- Electronic devices
- Paper products
- Artwork
- Upholstered furniture
- Veneered furniture
Why Flood Restoration?
Ultimately, the goal of flood restoration is to get your home in good enough shape for repairs to happen. Flood restoration combats mold growth and makes the property safe enough for everyone living there.
Was Your Home Damaged in a Flood? Contact PNW Restoration
Don’t handle the aftermath of a flood yourself. Instead, call the professional flood restoration team at PNW Restoration for help.
We have years of experience treating flood damage. Furthermore, we offer 24/7 emergency response. At PNW Restoration, we know that floods can happen anytime. As a result, we want you to be able to get a hold of us anytime you need us.
Call PNW Restoration today at 971-247-3470 to schedule an appointment.
