It's important to know what steps to take when handling a flood inside your house or home. Knowing what to do can help make the process less overwhelming and stressful, and can help protect your belongings and your bank account. You need to take pictures and note down everything that's been damaged, talk to your insurance, and consider hiring a professional post-flood cleaning service.

Taking Count Of Everything Damaged

Taking count of everything that's been damaged in your home may be the hardest part of cleaning up after a flood, but it's important even if your insurance doesn't cover flood damage. The notes or records you make will help you keep track of what needs to be replaced, repaired, or cleaned, and pictures you take are important for getting your insurance to pay for replacements for damaged goods. Once you have all the pictures and documentation you need, you can talk to your insurance.

Talk To Your Insurance

If you have flood insurance or insurance that covers flood damage, it's important to talk to them as soon as possible. Most homeowner policies don't cover flood damage, but you should double check if you don't know for sure. If you have flood insurance, sending in the documentation you have will help ensure that your insurance is worth what you've paid for it, and the sooner the better. It's important to note that gradual damage, such as damage to a pipe that's been eroded over time, will most likely not be covered, so be sure to be specific as to what was caused by the flood.

Keep Yourself Safe

If you choose to clean even part of your property after the flood yourself then you need to keep yourself safe. Not only do you need to clean everything thoroughly from mold and external germs that may be present before using your property again, but you need to protect yourself while cleaning. You should wear goggles, a mask, gloves, and clothes that cover your skin before you work. Consider using a wet/dry vacuum as well.

Consider Hiring A Professional

Finally, consider hiring a professional flood cleanup service. Not only is any flood damage hard for anyone to deal with, but it can be impossible or just plain overwhelming in between work and school, or for those with asthma and other chronic conditions. Plus, flood damage that effects major parts of the property or with large amounts of mold can be downright impossible to handle yourself. You can find a flood cleaning service online or occasionally through your insurance.

Cleaning up after a flood can be stressful, but with the right plan it's manageable. Keep track of what parts of your property have been damaged, talk to your insurance company, and keep yourself safe as you clean. Finally, consider hiring professional services.