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Flood Damage Cleanup

flood damage
Flooding is one of the least expected types of water damage and can drown your property in a matter of minutes. In most cases, floods are caused by heavy rains, which create a surplus of water in the area. FEMA describes a flood as “a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of inland or tidal waters; The unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any source. Mudslides which are proximately caused by flooding and are akin to a river of liquid and flowing mud on the surfaces of normally dry land areas.” As a property owner, it’s important to know the definition of a flood, as presented by FEMA, because most flooding instances are not covered by the basic homeowner’s insurance policy.

The Dangers Of Flood Water

Flood water is categorized as black water, which it the worst, most contaminated type of water. The water most often will contain traces of mud, bacteria, fungus, sewage, and other harmful toxins. As the water flows into the property, it will pick up harmful chemicals, insects and other contaminants, bringing them into the home. The porous materials in the home, such as wood, drywall, carpet or furniture will absorb the water, and though the surfaces may dry, the objects are still contaminated and are deemed unsalvageable. If properly cleaned and disinfected, there are a handful of items that can be salvaged after a flood.

Unsalvageable Flood Damaged Items

  • Carpets & Rugs
  • Mattresses
  • Upholstery & Furniture
  • Vinyl Floor

Salvageable Flood Damaged Items

  • Glass Items
  • Porcelain Items
  • Plastic Items
  • Concrete

24/7 Emergency Flood Damage Cleanup

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Flood Safety Tips

There is a handful of different ways to protect your home prior to a flood. Follow the following tips to ensure your safety and minimal property damages during a flood.
Flood damage cleanup & repairs

Prior To A Flood

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so prior to any flood damages, educate yourself and your family. To do this, find out if your property is located in a flood zone, and locate all of the closest evacuation centers. You should also make sure your appliances, like a washer and dryer, are in elevated areas of the home. You may also consider installing a sump pump in lower areas, like basements, to reduce the number of damages caused by flooding. Create an evacuation plan and practice with all members of the household.

During A Flood

Listen for updates from your local news or radio stations and make sure all phones are charged in the event that you lose power. If local authorities are calling for an evacuation, quickly gather your belongings and leave your home. If an evacuation is not required, move to the upper levels of the home and avoid contact with any water that may enter the property. NEVER approach any fallen power lines or even the wiring in your home during a flood.

After A Flood

If evacuated, do not reenter the home until it has been cleared by local authorities. After an entry has been cleared, call a professional flood damage cleanup company to repair any damages that your property has been faced with. Most homeowners do not possess the skills and equipment needed to adequately repair the damages, so it’s best to leave the cleanup to the professionals.

Flood Damage Restoration Tips

If the cause of your flooding problems are due to a plumbing malfunction or other internal cause, you have the ability to help mitigate the situation until First Response Service arrives. In cases where the water source is obvious, shut it off before attempting any other flood damage restoration tips. You’ll then want to do your best for water extraction efforts until the professionals are on-site. Be sure that all areas of your skin are covered when dealing with flood water. 

The most pivotal flood damage restoration tip we can offer is to secure the help of a flood cleanup company such as FRS GA. We offer 24/7 response to minimize damages and expenses. 

Flood Cleanup Supply List

Because of the contaminants in flood water, you’ll need to take extra precautions for flood damage restoration. While you’re waiting for assistance to arrive, grab a few trusted supplies to keep the damage in check:

  • Respirator mask
  • Gloves
  • Boots
  • Towels/Rags
  • Mops
  • Buckets

Flood Damage Cleanup & Repair Process

First Response Services of Georgia offers 24-hour emergency flood damage cleanup and repairs 365-days a year. We have more than 30 years of flood and water damage industry and have the skills to tackle the the toughest damages. Our cleanup and repairs process includes:

Once our team arrives on-site, they will conduct an initial inspection of the damages at hand. During this process, the team will also identify the type of water that has entered the property; in most cases, floods caused by storm damage is black water. During this inspection, our team of IICRC certified technicians will identify and mold that has begun to grow due to the damages.

After the initial inspection is complete, we will quickly begin the water removal process. To extract the floodwater, we will use specialized pumps to extract most of the excess water, they will use the industry’s best water extraction vacuums to remove the remaining traces of water.

Next, the team will begin removing all contaminated items from the property, separating the unsalvageable from the salvageable items. All unsalvageable items will be properly disposed of, and the salvageable items will be taken to an off-site facility for cleaning and decontamination.

Once the water and contaminated contents are removed from the property, the team will begin drying all affected areas. This is the most important step in the flood damage cleanup process because it will significantly reduce the risk of secondary damages, like mold growth. To dry the structure, the team will place industrial air movers around the affected areas, along with dehumidifiers. The combination will expel warm, dry air onto the affected areas. This process may take days to weeks to complete, depending on the scope of the damages.

Next, the team will treat all affected areas with an antimicrobial and an antibacterial solution. This process will ensure all contaminants are removed from the affected areas and will prevent the risk of future health problems. After the affected areas are treated, the team will double-check and test the areas to ensure all bacteria and microbes have been removed. This step is crucial and will ensure the property is clean and completely disinfected.

Once all of the previous steps have been completed and double-checked, we will move onto the repairs and reconstruction process. During this step, we will replace and items that were previously removed, like carpet, drywall, insulation, baseboards, etc. We strive to restore your home back to the safe place it was prior to the flood damages.

Flood Damage Insurance

In the aftermath of a flooding event, you’ll undoubtedly have plenty of questions about dealing with your insurance company. If you live in a flood zone or happen to have flood damage coverage on your policy, you will be in great shape for flood damage cleanup and flood damage restoration. 

Because flooding is a natural disaster event in many instances, it is usually a covered type of water damage. To be sure, you should contact your insurance representative to verify coverage, regulations, and stipulations.