Structural Damages Resulting from Floods

Flooding in one’s home can throw many people into a panic as they quickly grab towels to soak up the water. While this method may get rid of the liquid standing in the middle of the living room floor, damage may already be done to the structural integrity of the home. Directly after a flood, homeowners should seek professional services to remedy the problem thoroughly, particularly when it comes to the following components.

Flood Damage Restoration & Your Insurance Company

In the event of a flood disaster, the majority of homeowners are covered by insurance that accommodates most water and fire damages, which usually offers some solace to the victims. Yet, as most people are aware, and too many may have experienced, dealing with a claims adjuster is often a tricky part of the process.

Minimizing Property Damage in Case of Flood

Floods can cause thousands of dollars in property damage per home. While the risk of flooding cannot be totally averted, homeowners can at least minimize the damage and ensure the safety of your family simply by being prepared. Doing so can help speed up the recovery process so things can go back to the way they were. Here are three steps you should take in case of a flood in your area.

Types of Flood and Their Degrees of Destruction

According to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), there are three categories of liquids that can flood your home and cause destruction. You can tell one from the other based on their sources or the typical level of contaminants they contain.

The first one is clean, sanitary, and potable liquid like water from your faucets and drinking fountains. The second category are those commonly known as gray water, such as dishwater, laundry runoffs, and toilet overflows, or leaks without feces. Lastly, the third type is the clearly unsanitary liquids, including sewage water, flooding from rivers or streets, and stagnant water teeming with bacteria or pests like mosquitoes.

When these liquids flood a building, the possible effects can also be categorized as follows:

•       Class 1 – Only part of a room is affected.

•       Class 2 – An entire room is flooded, and 12-inch high portions of the walls are wet.

•       Class 3 – Multiple rooms (including their ceilings) are affected.

•       Class 4 – The flood has had enough time to saturate materials like hardwood, brick, and stone.

It takes professional training to identify the possible contaminants in the flood, the exact extent of the water damage, and the appropriate measures to dry and clean the affected areas and materials. No matter how limited or extensive you think the damage in your home is, trust only certified flood restoration companies to perform the needed inspections and repairs.

Tips for Speeding Up Flood Restoration

After a flood, it’s only natural for you to want to have your home and other belongings restored as quickly as possible. For the best results, you’ll want to call a flood restoration company as soon as possible since flood damage only gets worse the longer your belongings are exposed to floodwater. Similarly, you can do your part to speed up the flood restoration process by following these quick tips:

Shut Off Electrical Power

Water is one of the best conductors of electricity, and the last thing you want to happen is anyone being electrocuted. If you were given advance warning of a flood, you may want to turn off the electricity before the flood affects your home.

Three Forces That Make Floods Destructive

A raging torrent of water is anything but good. Floods cost homeowners and businesses billions each year, adding up every time a calamity or burst pipe occurs, from drenched documents to mold growth. However, a flood’s destructive physics aren’t widely understood. With enough speed, it can bust a hole through your wall and add more headaches for you to deal with.

A List of Things You Can Restore After a Flood

If you think a little water will do you no harm, you might want to reconsider once you are on the receiving end of a flood. Floodwater can inundate your property, soaking everything in a mixture of water, mud, and other debris that might have been swept up. It will take some time for the waters to recede, and until then your property and everything inside it are at risk of water damage.

Water damage is a serious issue. Floods can leave behind nasty stains that can be difficult to remove. Wooden furniture, wood floors, and other parts of a house that are made of wood are at risk of warping from being submerged in water, and could be a target for termites. Severe cases of water damage can accelerate the growth of mold and bacteria in furniture and the walls, which can endanger homeowners and their families.

If you must salvage belongings from your home, prioritize recouping furniture without upholstery. Furniture with fabric and cushions are sure to waterlogged with too much of the floodwater to be of any use, and could be breeding grounds for bacteria and mold. Mattresses also will need to be replaced. As for the home itself, it would be best to call upon a professional company to handle the drying, cleaning, and possible reconstruction of the property. Although homeowners can manage these tasks on their own, the expert opinion and skills of these companies will prove invaluable.

The Intensity of Water Intrusion

Following a flood, the first order of business for restoration services is to remove the water and residue from the house. After that, they deal with the water that had already seeped its way into the structure. The level of dehumidification necessary depends on how much floodwater the walls and floor have absorbed.

The IICRC S500 standard divides the intensity of water intrusion into four classes:

How to Keep Flood Damage to a Minimum

Your home is no match for flooding due to a heavy rainfall or a storm surge--there’s simply nothing you can do to stop it. To reverse the damage, you’ll need to contact some flood damage restoration pros to get things back to normal. You can, however, minimize the damage and keep it on the structural side. Your fixtures, appliances, and other things don’t have to take Mother Nature’s brunt. 

Here are some tips: