If you or someone you know has recently become the victim of flood damage, you know exactly how traumatic such an experience can be. In addition to causing substantial emotional and mental duress, a flood causes physical damage to property and can prove incredibly expensive.The damage caused by a flood can grow exponentially worse if left untreated. There are a number of effective actions you can take immediately if your home has been affected by flood water.
• Insurance: First and foremost, it is crucial to protect your home and your possessions with a flood insurance policy. Homeowner's insurance does not pay for loss of property due to flood damage. Regardless of where you live, it is important to understand that heavy rains and flash floods can occur without warning, even in areas in which flooding is not common.
• Carpets: If your home is affected by flood, the carpeted areas will most likely be the primary focus of your concern. Carpets and rugs should be dried as quickly as is possible after excess flood water has been removed.
• Flooring: If left untreated, flood damage to floors can eventually cause major structural issues within the foundation of your home. When saturated for an extended period of time, wooden floor boards can harbor moisture for months following the flood.
• Furniture: Though the majority of flood damaged furniture is relatively difficult to salvage, certain pieces can be saved with thorough cleaning and care. Leather furniture is most frequently counted as a total loss, but if the damage is minimal, it may be possible to replace certain parts and save the entire piece. When treating upholstered furniture that has been submerged in flood water for an extended period of time, consider the fact that cushions and other fillings will most likely need to be replaced. Even if dried completely, this type of stuffing can harbor millions of microscopic mold spores. If possible, remove all exterior coverings and launder them as directed by the manufacturer's labeling. Use a quality rust inhibitor to protect all metal components, such as springs and frames. Wooden frames should be left outside in the sun to dry before you attempt to reassemble furniture.
• Safety with electrical appliances: Electrical appliances that have been submerged, even for a short period of time, should not be used until they are serviced by a certified electrical repair professional. Never turn on electrical appliances that have been damaged by flood water, as this can result in overheating, fire or injury by electric shock. An electrician should also be consulted before turning on fans, lights or other appliances operated by a wall switch, as water can remain within the walls of your home and cause major malfunction of wires and circuits. When you have a serious flood in your property, do not hesitate to call the Lakeland water and smoke cleanup experts. Waiting can increase your chances of developing a disease caused by fungi, bacteria or viruses in water stagnant, or worse - the floods could have damaged the foundations of your house. When a flood happens in your house.
• Safety with gas appliances: Gas appliances that have been damaged by flood water should also be inspected and repaired by a certified professional before they are used. Even if a gas appliance appears to be functioning properly, it is possible that its safety features have been disabled by the presence of standing water, making them extremely dangerous to operate. Gas leaks, also often caused by flood damage, can cause fires and explosions if exposed to flame. Always turn off the main valve to your water heater if you suspect a gas leak and call your gas company immediately to remedy the problem.
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