Flooding is something you can never plan for, and you want to make sure that you are prepared when there is a problem. Getting started with repairs is important, but so is your safety and documenting the damage for insurance and financial records. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a checklist to begin with the work that needs to be done to restore your home. Here is a checklist to help you plan your water damage restoration and get your home back to normal quickly:

1. Safety First: Making Sure It Is Safe to Enter Your Home and Begin Work

The first thing you want to do when your home has flooded is making sure you are safe. Make sure to turn off electricity and utilities in areas that are flooded and wear protective gear like boots and gloves to avoid contact with potential contamination. If the flooding is widespread in your area, you can check with government officials to find out about other potential contamination hazards that you should be aware of.

2. Documenting Flood Damage and Assessing Your Home to Begin with Repairs

Flood damage should be documented with photographs and video to assess that cost of repairs. You may also need documentation for insurance claims, which you will want to check with your insurance adjuster as soon as possible to find out what repair costs your policy covers. If you do not have flood coverage due to living in a disaster area or other issues, documentation can be used to help with financing repairs or appliance for aid to repair your home.

3. Protecting Your Personal Property by Moving It to A Safe, Dry Place

Your personal property is vulnerable during a flood, and even though it may be damaged, you probably still want to save what you can. Remove all your belongings from the damaged area into a dry safe place like the attic of your home or a self-storage facility if you need to. If materials are wet, let them dry out before storing them and do not pack them away because this can cause further damage to them.

4. Removing Water and Damaged Materials and Cleaning to Prevent Health Hazards

The standing water can be a major problem that you have to deal with when repairing water damage. You will want to use pumps, hoses, and wet-and-dry vacuums to remove all the standing water from your home. In addition, the materials that have been severely damaged like carpet and wet drywall materials need to be removed. Clean up any contamination and use industrial antifungal cleaners to prevent mold from growing.

5. Drying Out and Demolishing Where Needed to Begin with Rebuilding Your Home

After the water and damaged materials have been removed and the mess cleaned, demolition may need to be done. You will need to remove materials cleanly to allow for repairs to drywall, flooring, and woodwork to be done. In addition, you will want to use fans to thoroughly dry out the damaged space before repairs are completed to ensure that moisture does not get trapped inside your home.

This is a checklist that will help you plan repairs and restoration when your home has been flooded. If you need help with cleaning up and repairing the damage, contact a water damage restoration service to begin picking up the pieces and putting your home back together.