Over the years, several hurricanes put the homes of Dana Point, CA, at risk for flooding. Several factors result in floods, including many events that go beyond the unwarranted extreme weather. Besides heavy rains, flooding can also stem from issues within the house, such as malfunctioning plumbing systems. This threat makes it imperative for families to take extra measures to check up on their source of water and prevent floods from entering their homes.

Let us take a look at the steps you can consider when performing emergency flood repair to prevent health hazards and recover as many belongings as you can.

Before Anything Else, Make Sure to Do These Things:

Before performing drastic measures to recover your possessions infiltrated by the flood, it is important to make sure that everything else is safe. Consider doing all 4 of these things before taking any other action:

Find the Source of Flood

Unless the source of flooding is an act of nature, look for the source of the flooding. Make sure to turn it off or look for something that can seal it shut to prevent more water from flowing. You can also stop the water flow at once if you turn it off from the main water valve to your house. It is integral that every member of the family is aware of its location in emergencies.

Kill All Sources of Electricity Around your Home

The next thing that you need to do in emergencies like this one is to turn off all electricity sources around the house. If reaching the fuse box requires you to submerge yourself into the flood, you should have an electrician handle the issue instead.

Leave the Premises As Soon As Possible

For flooding issues resulting from sewage leaks or burst pipes, occupants should immediately evacuate the premises. Go someplace dry and safe outside of your home as soon as possible. If you don’t want to leave your home, at least go into your backyard. However, it is best if you go to a friend or neighbor’s place. Ensure that your pets, children, and other vulnerable people are transferred to a safe space so they won’t get hurt.

If the flooding occurred as a natural disaster, look for temporary shelters through your local authorities. You can also check on the news for updates about the available evacuation facilities.

Seek Help

After making sure that the occupants have evacuated to a safe place, you can call for help. Call 911 immediately if there is someone within the family that needs medical attention. Your priority must lie with the well-being of yourself and your loved ones.

As for your possessions, the damage is already done. So, focus on tending to the needs of those who need it most. As soon as you have made sure that all of your loved ones are doing fine, you can begin the recovery process right away.

If you are only leasing the affected property, it is imperative to inform your landlord about the problem. Give them all of the details of what happened to determine the next steps you need to take. Now is the perfect time to make sure that you have your landlord’s contact details written down or saved from your mobile phone.

Alternatively, it is recommended for homeowners to reach out to their insurance company as soon as possible. Let them know how the house suffered from water damage to clarify if anything you need to do before the cleanup and repair processes begin.

What You Need to do When Your Dana Point, CA Home Gets Flooded

Here is everything that you need to do during emergencies such as flooding:

Document Everything

When your house gets flooded, the first thing that comes to mind is what you need to do to clean it up. Before the cleanup process goes underway, you must document the extent of the damage. You need to submit its photo and video evidence to your insurance company. Have your phone capture every aspect of the issue to give your insurer a clear picture of what went down.

Make sure to take extra precautions when documenting the whole thing. More often than not, the water that penetrates your home consists of hazardous chemicals that can be harmful to touch. So, you must wear appropriate protective gear, including waders and waterproof boots, before going into the problem areas.

Emergency Flood Cleanup

One of the most complicated processes towards recovery is cleaning up after all the water damage. To clean up the area, you must have it all dried up first before salvaging all the recoverable items. Transfer these items in a dry space to further restore them to their normal state. It is also a crucial step to disinfect each item along with the areas that the flood touched. Ensure you clean up while fully equipped with appropriate protective gear, including waders and waterproof boots, before submerging into the water.

Avoid Mold Growth

Two types of damages affect the homes during disastrous floods. The first one is the loss of your assets in a snap and the mold growth that can further damage your property. Mold is always a huge problem after the flood has subsided. This bacteria builds up when areas are left damp, which can also be harmful to one’s health. Therefore, it is imperative to keep the flooded area as dry as possible to prevent mold growth. Make sure to treat problem areas with strong cleaning agents like bleaching solutions to stop bacteria’s spread.

Conclusion

Millions of homes all over the US get flooded after heavy rainfalls resulting in overflowing rivers, streams, and coastal areas. Apart from these natural disasters, flooding can still happen from the inside of any home. Water damage arises when plumbing systems malfunction leading to pipe leaks and bursts. These types of incidents can end up costing you thousands of dollars to recover and restore what was once lost. Not to mention, there can also be long-term consequences to you and your loved ones’ health when such damages are not dealt with appropriately.

Here at A1 Emergency Services, we acknowledge how flooding can be daunting and damaging to homes. We designated a compassionate restoration team at A1 to help you recover. Our goal is to alleviate your worries and make the process of getting life back to normal, cost-effective, and stress-free. To get your home back to normal, contact us today!