Knowing who to call for flooding problems can help keep your head above water
Flooding problems are a common concern for homeowners. Whether they’re caused by a severe weather event, such as a storm or a hurricane, or they happen because of poor drainage or a malfunctioning water heater component, the result is often the same: Costly water damage that can ruin your home and property.
But do you know who to call when flooding problems strike your home? It all depends on whether you are looking to repair damage that has already been done or prevent further damage in the future.
Do you find yourself asking the question, “My house is flooding, who do I call?” While there are quite a few people you should get on the phone, a good place to start is with a water damage restoration expert.
Getting a restoration pro on the phone quickly can help mitigate more serious issues, which often happen within the first 24 hours of damage. Flooding in your yard or home can cause significant structural damage, leading to costly repairs to your foundation, walls, and roof.
There’s one big caveat to this: If the situation is dangerous, contact an emergency service instead, like a plumber, fire department, or electrician. Water restoration pros will help you recover from the damage, but they don’t necessarily have the skills to handle emergency or dangerous situations.
When you call a water restoration expert, they’ll bring in specialized equipment to tackle the initial clean-up and remove as much standing water and moisture as possible, such as industrial fans and vacuums. Their timely and targeted approach will hopefully minimize the amount of water damage you face.
Plus, these flooding specialists will know how to spot signs of trapped moisture, which, if left unchecked, can cause structural damage and pose health risks as mold grows. Once things are cleared and given the green light, the restorer will take care of any necessary repairs to your walls, floors, ceiling, roof, or foundation.
Once a flood happens, you’re too far gone to start considering plumbing maintenance tips that could’ve prevented the issue in the first place. Now is the time to start mitigating the problems at hand to help prevent excessive damage and to make your future claims process as smooth as possible.
Here’s what to do if your house floods:
Consider evacuating your home. Depending on the severity of the flooding, the safest route may be to leave your home immediately. Floods can damage your foundation and electrical systems, which can be dangerous for anyone.
Turn off the electricity. Water plus electricity is a big safety hazard. If you can reach your electric box without stepping into the water, turn it off. Otherwise, call emergency services immediately for backup.
Locate and turn off the water source. If it’s a plumbing emergency like a burst pipe and not caused by weather, locate where the water is coming from and turn it off. That way, you can prevent any further damage while you take steps to remedy the problem.
Call emergency services if necessary. If you can’t get a handle on the water in a timely manner, call emergency plumbing services. While an emergency plumber costs $170 per hour on average, it could save you thousands in excessive damages.
Take pictures of the damage. While you’re in the house, take as many pictures and videos of the water damage as possible. This will help you during the insurance claims process and to give your water restoration team a heads-up on what they may face.
Start the claims process. Once you’re sure the flooding is as controlled as possible, call your insurance company. Your agent will help walk you through the next steps for repairs and reimbursement when hiring a local plumber or restoration team. But beware, not all types of flooding are covered by insurance.
Though it’s possible to take on restoration and repair projects yourself, when you’ve experienced water damage, it’s probably best to leave the restoration to the experts. Water damage doesn’t just pose a threat to the structural integrity of your home, but it can also put your family’s health at risk. It’s important to address water damage quickly before it poses other safety risks.
For example, dangerous mold and mildew spread fast in places where you’ve incurred water damage. Once it starts growing, you could be looking at some hefty costs to kill and remove the growth. Because of the health risks, you’ll likely need to hire a mold removal expert to safely and completely eliminate it from your home.
If you’re looking to prevent future flooding problems, it’s good to reach out to a professional plumber or local drain pipe expert. These pros can inspect your pipes, plumbing, and even your sewer system to ensure they are free of blockages and everything is draining properly. This is a particularly good idea if your yard is always wet, floods easily, or often has standing or pooled water.
Similarly, if you find that your basement is constantly flooding, consider having a local reputable sump pump professional take a look and offer suggestions for prevention. A sump pump will help rid your basement of water when severe weather threatens by pumping and redirecting the water away from your home.
Finding a reputable plumber or water damage restoration expert is a critical component to ensuring a timely and efficient clean-up process. Here’s what you can expect from a solid water restoration partner:
Your pro will isolate the source of the water to address leaks. This may involve turning off water to resolve a plumbing issue.
If the flooding is storm-related, a restoration expert can eliminate the water using industrial vacuums and fans.
Your pro will search for other signs of related damage. You may need to discard carpets and upholstery to prevent mold growth. Paneling, drywall, flooring, or subflooring may need replacing if the damage is substantial.
Your pro will clean, sanitize, and deodorize affected areas to kill any bacteria or fungi that had begun to germinate in those wet conditions.
Your pro will start on necessary repairs, such as replacing bathroom tile, grouting, and drywall.
The scope of the repairs will depend on the extent of the damage and your restoration budget. Ensure that you get a thorough, itemized estimate and a detailed work contract before you begin any restoration project, which you can also submit to your homeowners insurance if you have flood coverage.
Teri Beth Miller contributed to this piece.
