Flood damage is something no homeowner wants to deal with. It’s a problem that can hit unexpectedly and leave you reeling for months or years to come. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to recover after your house floods. Read on to find out what to do to rescue your home from a natrual disaster like a flood or other destructive water damage.

Contact the appropriate agencies

If your house floods, it’s essential that you inform the appropriate agencies as soon as possible. Follow these guidelines to ensure you contact the right sources and get the correct information or assistance:

• Call your insurance company. Call your homeowner’s insurance company as soon as you are aware of flood damage to your home. If flood damage is covered, file a claim. If it is not covered, report the flooding incident anyway. If flood damage isn’t covered in your policy, you’ll need your insurance company to provide you with documentation stating this fact. You will then use that documentation if and when you file an application with FEMA.
• Call your local emergency management office. You need to take this step in order to report your damages to local authorities. If you don’t know how to get in touch with your local emergency management office, contact your local police department for assistance.
• Contact FEMA. Take this step if the water damage to your house was the result of a natural disaster such as a hurricane. FEMA stands for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It is a U.S. government agency tasked with preparing for, responding to, and relieving the effects of disasters that affect U.S. citizens. To contact FEMA, either call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or access the FEMA website at www.fema.gov. They will send an inspector out to your property. The inspector will want to see your photo ID, proof of homeowner’s insurance, and proof of residency. From there, the inspector will most likely take photos of the damages to your house and will then supply your claim information to FEMA.

Document the flood damage

It’s important to document all the damage to your home and personal property. Your documentation will come in handy as you are going through the claim process with your insurance company or with FEMA. Follow the steps below when documenting flood damage:

• Take photos. It’s best to take photos while floodwater is still in your home. This will provide you with solid proof that water was the cause of destruction.
• List all damaged or missing items. Make a list of all your personal items that got damaged in the flood. Try to include their purchase date and current value. If you have receipts you can include as well, all the better.
• Save damaged personal property. This will provide you with further evidence of the extent of destruction to your home and possessions. Take pictures of any items that require disposal due to health hazards.

Begin cleaning quickly

The sooner you start cleaning after your house floods, the more likely you are to salvage your possessions. Cleaning sooner rather than later will also help prevent mold growth.

Be sure to keep your home well ventilated while you clean. Do this by keeping your doors and windows open or by running fans and dehumidifiers. The constant air flow will help to remove moisture from inside your home.

Keep a level head about the items that need cleaning. Most wooden, metal, or plastic products can be sanitized and salvaged. Carpet, carpet lining, mattresses, pillows, and other types of bedding must be discarded if they encountered flood waters. Certain building materials must also be thrown out, including insulation, drywall, baseboards, and products made from paper or fiberboard.

Remember safety precautions

If you experience flood damage at your home, it’s a sure bet that safety hazards will follow. Take these safety precautions seriously when dealing with flood-damaged materials or when entering a flood-damaged house:

• Don’t turn on the electricity. Wait until an electrician has inspected your electrical system for safety before attempting to use any lights or power. If you need to clean something that was underwater, turn off your electricity prior to cleaning.
• Check for structural damage. Before you return to your flood-damaged home, check for structural damage. You don’t want to risk being trapped upon re-entry to your home because of a building collapse. If you don’t know how to check for structural damage, contact your local fire department or your local emergency management office. They can advise you on the clues of structural damage, or they may even send someone out to help you survey the site.
• Wear boots and gloves while cleaning. Disinfect any objects that encountered flood water. Use a pine-oil cleanser with bleach to sanitize items that got wet. Allow items to dry completely and then check them after several days to make sure they are free from odors or fungal growth.
• Boil water before consuming it. Until authorities inform you that your water supply is safe, you should boil all water prior to consumption or cooking use.

Take action as soon as possible

Whether your flood problems were the result of a natural disaster or a leak in your plumbing system, taking action to recover from the damage is the first and most important step. Though a flood can be an emotionally difficult incident to deal with, it’s essential that you move as quickly as possible to recover after your house floods.