The first thing you absolutely should do with your home after a flood is to call an expert in to assess the damage and come up with a solution for fixing things. There are also certain things you might have been putting off, like a septic pumping for example, that now would be a good time to take care of. Since you have already made plans to be out of your home, now could be a good time to briefly extend those plans in order to accomplish these tasks once and for all. This is the most important thing. Don’t try to do anything yourself. It could put you at risk of injury or worse. Here’s a guide to what you should avoid doing in the wake of flood damage.
Walking Through Waters
This is a controversial issue and it really depends on where you live and the height of the waters. If the flood waters cover your knees you shouldn’t attempt to walk through them unless you absolutely have to. Stay out of your home until the professionals arrive.
Flood water is dirty and can be filled with anything from sharp objects to fecal matter. In some cases dealt by Insight Pest Control Cincinnati, rats and other pests could have been washed out of their homes and they could be lurking in the water.
If the waters are low enough to walk through, wear a pair of tall boots with plenty of water resistant clothing.
Using Electricity
It sounds silly, but a lot of people use the electricity after they think everything is safe. Just because the line is dead doesn’t mean you can’t be electrocuted. Not all lines are necessarily off. Switch the wrong thing on and you could seriously injure yourself, especially if you’re still standing in water.
Wait until a professional gives the green light to start turning things back on again.
Passing on the Inspection
We would recommend getting a full home inspection before you even consider entering your home again. The fact is flood waters can seep into the structure and cause unseen damage. If your house is made from wood, you have a higher risk of structural damage. This damage might not appear for a long time. The home inspector will also tell you if septic tank pumping and septic tank cleaning services is required after the flood water recedes.
One moment you’re carrying your dinner to the table. The next thing you know have the house has just slipped forward because one of the foundations has collapsed.
Lighting Candles
Use a torch to find your way through any dark and flooded areas. Lighting candles is the worst possible thing you could do, and this comes as a shock to most people. Candles are usually the ‘go to’ piece of emergency equipment when the lights go out.
The problem with candles is they’re producing light using a naked flame. There’s a good chance flammable chemicals like oil or gasoline are in the vicinity. You could quite easily cause a fire if you get too close to something you shouldn’t.
Reacting Emotionally
It can be hard to accept a lot of your belongings have been ruined by a flood. You might feel tempted to lash out and march into your house to collect whatever is left. Whilst it’s commendable, the best thing you can do is to leave and let the professionals handle everything first.
You can’t do anything about the situation without the expertise gained through training. Try to remain calm and remember help is on the way.
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Jack Hunter is the author of this informative post. He is an interior designer and an ardent blogger who enjoys writing home décor articles. He says you can hire a quality mold removal company by clicking here.
