As a homeowner, one of the worst things you can ever experience is a flood. Floods can be caused by heavy rains, burst pipes, problems with your plumbing or a malfunctioning sump pump. Whatever the cause of the flood, every homeowner should know what to do when such a disaster happens. Doing the right thing at the right time can help minimize damage and make repairs and restorations easier down the road.
See If You Can Stop the Water
While there is little you can do if the flooding is caused by heavy rains or runoff, you should try to stop the water if the cause is not natural. Find all water valves in your house and turn them off. To make things easier, locate all the main valves before a flood so you can get to them easier during one.
Once you have turned off the water, the next step is turning off the electricity. Flooding comes with its own set of electrical hazards and turning the power off can reduce the danger. If you can’t turn the power off yourself, call an electrician or the power company.
Evacuate
Evacuation is the next step in keeping your loved one safe. You can evacuate to a safe spot outside the house or to a neighbour’s home that is not flooding. When evacuating, it is important to make sure that everyone is accounted for. If the authorities provide temporary shelters, try to get to them as they will be a lot safer than most other places.
Seek Help
Once everyone is out of the house, call for help. Start by checking whether anyone needs medical attention, which would be the case if the flooding was caused by nature. If not, it is likely that this will not be the case and so the best thing you can do is find somewhere for your family to stay as you get the restoration process underway.
Call Your Insurance Company
You should call your home insurance provider before you do anything else. Flooding is likely covered under your policy, and the insurance provider will pay for it if it is covered. Try to document as much of the damage as possible before calling the insurance company and get these details over to them as fast as possible.
Start the Repair and Restoration
Because there will likely be extensive damage to various parts of the house, it would be best to seek help from professionals who provide emergency restoration services in Ottawa. Calling professionals when you’re in need of urgent restoration services is the best way to ensure the restoration is done right. In addition to the multi-step process required to dry the home and make it habitable again, these professionals will also take measures to prevent the growth of mold after the cleaning and drying process is done.
No one wants their home to be flooded, but some people are unfortunate to experience flooding in their homes. It is always best to be prepared and to know what to do in case something like this happens. Being prepared gives you the best chance of ensuring everyone’s safety and protecting your home from extensive damage.
