What You Can Expect When Restoring Your Home After a Flood
Whether your home was damaged by water from a burst pipe or a severe rainstorm, flooding in the home can be a costly experience. You may be faced with removing carpeting, restoring walls to their original condition, or even having to have the space decontaminated if the flood waters contained sewage. This can all add up to potentially thousands of dollars in repair costs, not to mention the time required to set your home right again. Here are things you can expect when your home is flooded as you undergo restoration.
Evacuation of the home
If your home was damaged by sewer or river water, you will have to evacuate your home until a flood restoration company has deemed it safe to move into again. Flood water is divided into classifications, and Class 3 is considered toxic or highly contaminated. Any water that floods into your home that is not from a 'safe' source such as a leaking washing machine or a leaky faucet will carry a higher classification level. Since 'dark' water can potentially carry harmful bacteria such as E. Coli and botulism, you will need to stay out of your home until all potential dangers have been addressed.
Complete restoration
A simple flood in the home may not be such a simple repair. Water that gets into drywall can warp sheet rock and the wooden support beams behind it. Carpeting can be destroyed to the entire padding underneath, and paint can literally bubble and peel away from walls. In short, what looks like a simple flood can mean several days of gutting out your home and repairing or replacing the damage left behind.
This process can be invasive, time-consuming, and costly, so make sure your homeowners insurance kicks in to help you locate the contractors and flood cleanup crew you need to set your home straight again. Even simple basement flooding can lead to damages that are too difficult to repair on your own.
Furniture replacement
Furniture that wasn't even entirely damaged in your home's flood will have to be replaced if the water involved carries the potential for being contaminated. You don't want to leave any traces of bacteria behind, which means couches, rugs, chairs, and even tables that were touched by flood waters must be removed and replaced with new pieces. Your insurance may cover the loss and allow you to replace these items with furnishings that are similar in value.
Experiencing a flood in your home is difficult. Knowing what to expect during the restoration process can help make the ordeal more tolerable to bear. Contact a flood restoration team to learn more.