Tennessee Home Flood? 8 Things To Do Now To Minimize Damages

No one wants to come home to a flooded residence. Yet, despite taking precautions to avoid a home flood, heavy rain and tropical storms can still cause expensive flooding. Improperly working appliances and foundation cracks can also flood your Tennessee home.

Prompt action is important when dealing with a flood. The steps you take now can determine how much of your personal items are salvageable and the overall cost of the damages. If you find yourself dealing with a flood, taking the following steps can save you money and time and help you hold onto more of your things.

Contact a Flood Remediation Company

If you feel overwhelmed, you may find relief by contacting a flood remediation company. Flood remediation companies are well-versed in timely cleanup and sanitization. Some flood remediation companies may even be able to help you stop the water source, which helps to prevent further damage. The good thing is that most flood remediation companies are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Since flooding never seems to occur during traditional business hours, this means you can begin the cleanup process even more quickly.

Stop the Flood Source

Depending on the flood cause, you may be able to stop further water from accumulating in your Tennessee home. If the flooding was caused by poor weather, this may not be an option. However, if your home is flooded due to a clogged toilet or faulty appliance, you can turn off the water source. Keep in mind that if your water damage is leaking into the electrical outlets, you may also want to turn off the home’s power. If you’re unsure of where this is located, exit the home and contact a professional.

Notify Your Homeowner’s Insurance

It’s also a good idea to notify your homeowner’s insurance of the flood as soon as possible. Every insurance company has different requirements for filing a claim, and yours may require that you take photographs before remediation begins. Avoid the possibility of your insurance company denying your claim by contacting them as soon as possible.

Take Photographs

Photographs can be especially helpful when dealing with flooding. This helps you provide documentation to the insurance company, which helps support your claim. Photographs can also help you recall any personal items that were lost during the flood. 

Some homeowners may even find value in videoing the damages, which gives you and the insurance company a more comprehensive view of the damages. Videos also allow you to share any unique designs or intricate rooms within your home that may have been damaged and should be replaced by the insurance company. Make sure your photographs are time and date-stamped, which can also help with your insurance claim.

Begin Remediating

One of the most important steps during flood cleanup, and one that can help to minimize your damages, is to begin the remediation process as soon as possible. Remove all wet contents from the flooded area, including personal belongings, furniture, and soaked pieces of floor or drywall. In the meantime, set up circulating fans and open windows, if possible, to help dry out the area. Water damage eventually turns into mold, which can add thousands of dollars of costs to your necessary repairs.

Make Repairs

Once you remove all wet materials from the flooded zone, you’ll want to make the necessary repairs. Replace drywall and sand down wet furniture made with wood materials. Replace any soaked-through floorboards or stairs. Replacing your home’s existing materials gives you the opportunity to upgrade them at the same time. For example, you might consider using mold-resistant drywall or insulation for flood-prone rooms.

Schedule Professional Cleaning

Scheduling a professional cleaning, including carpet cleaning, ensures you get all contaminants out of the flooded area. 

If the flood leaks into any carpeted areas, make sure you schedule your TN Flood Kings carpet cleaning services as quickly as possible. The longer the water sits in the carpeting, the more potential for mold. A professional cleaning surface can also help you clean and sanitize your furniture or personal belongings.

Re-check for Mold

Once all cleaning and repairs are made, it’s always a good idea to double-check for any leftover water or mold. Ignoring leftover water or mold spores can allow the damage to get worse. If you don’t take care of everything right the first time, you may have to pull out all the new materials and remediate for mold.

Home flooding is not only inconvenient, but it’s also expensive. Taking immediate action following a home flood is the best way to minimize damages and costs. Waiting too long to begin the clean-up process allows the water to move to nearby furniture and structures, which could eventually lead to mold, often exacerbating your damage.