You never get used to severe weather. Keeping a close eye on the forecast doesn’t reduce the chance of a flood damaging your Palatine home.
You have to be prepared, but you also need to know how to handle the aftermath.
Over the years, ServiceMaster by Zaba has helped Palatine homeowners recover from flood damage, and we’ve taken care of area businesses too.
We offer this guide covering what to do if a flood damages your home. We’re including helpful power tips too.
Read on, and stay safe.
7 Steps for Dealing With a Flooded Home in Palatine
Flood damage in your home can create a hazardous environment. You may want to consider temporarily relocating until the house can be fully restored.
Stay safe before you get started by covering these key points:
- Make sure interiors are structurally sound.
- Confirm the condition of your home’s electrical system.
- Always wear appropriate personal protection gear.
1. Contact Your Insurance Agent
If you have coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program, let your insurance agent know how the flooding impacted your property. Document the losses with pictures of flood-damaged interiors and belongings.
If you don’t have flood coverage, check online for government resources that provide disaster assistance.
Power Safety Tip: As you take pictures of the damage, move carefully around debris and tripping hazards.
2. Extract and Mop Up Floodwater
Renting water extraction equipment shortens the time needed for this step. If you have floodwater in the basement, use a submersible pump system.
A wet vac should work in other areas. You’ll also need a large dehumidifier to pull residual moisture from interiors.
Power Safety Tip: Don’t run any equipment until you’re sure your home’s electrical system is in good condition.
3. Start the Drying Process
It can take days or even weeks for flooded interiors to completely dry. Continue to run the dehumidifier, and set up large fans in affected areas. Let the equipment operate 24/7.
Power Safety Tip: Position at least one fan in each room so that it blows airborne contaminants through open windows.
4. Tear Out Ruined Interiors
Flood-damaged walls, ceiling and floors must be removed.
As you tear out ruined materials, be on the lookout for mold and mildew. Check with the Palatine Environmental Health Department to confirm what can be set out for trash collection and what has to be hauled off.
Power Safety Tip: Be careful working under buckled ceilings or around any interior structures that seem unstable.
5. Clean Surfaces, Contents and Belongings
Storm flooding contaminates interiors, contents and personal belongings with Category 3 water, so be prepared to clean and disinfect. Scrub non-porous surfaces with a solution of chlorine bleach and water.
Use specially formulated cleaning products on porous surfaces.
Power Safety Tip: Be sure to regularly wash and sanitize your hands during the cleanup phase.
6. Take Care of Mold Growth
Mold spreads quickly through flood-damaged materials. Follow up cleaning and disinfecting by treating mold on all areas that show signs of fungal growth.
Regularly check back over the next few weeks to make sure the mold doesn’t grow back.
Power Safety Tip: If you have any respiratory issues, leave mold remediation to restoration professionals.
7. Repair, Rebuild and Restore
Put your handy-person talents to work by replacing floors, rebuilding walls and repairing ceilings as needed.
This step is time-consuming, but it’s important to restore everything to its pre-flood condition. Otherwise, residual damage can continue to compromise structural integrity and create long-term problems.
Power Safety Tip: After any type of DIY disaster restoration work, have your home’s electrical system inspected one last time by a licensed electrician.
Dangers of DIY Flood Cleanup
Cleaning up after a flood can expose you to multiple hazards. Always wear your protective gear as you work, and be aware of these dangers.
- Compromised Interior Structures – Flooding compromises the structural integrity of interiors, resulting in unstable walls, floors and ceilings.
- Black Water Contamination – Category 3 floodwater is called black water because it’s contaminated with raw sewage, chemicals and disease-carrying pathogens.
- Unhealthy Indoor Air Quality – Damp interiors create a humid atmosphere filled with airborne microorganisms that can affect individuals with respiratory issues.
Advantages of Professional Flood Restoration
As we’ve noted, cleaning your home after a flood can take weeks of heavy work. Restoration professionals get the job done quickly and efficiently, but you also benefit in several other ways.
- Everything is taken care of by industry-certified technicians.
- Your home is completely cleaned, disinfected and restored.
- All work is completed following strict CDC protocols.
- Restoration pros can help with your flood insurance claim.
- You partner with a team that responds to all types of emergencies.
When You’re Faced With Flood Damage in Palatine, Call Us Right Away.
You can’t control the weather, but you can manage flood damage to your Palatine home or business.
It starts with a call to our pros here at ServiceMaster by Zaba.
We’re ready with 24/7 emergency flood cleanup in Palatine and all across Lake County. When the worst happens, we’re here for you, and we’re just around the corner: 847-459-3900.