3 Things Not To Do After a Flood

8/31/2023 (Permalink)

Heavy rains may lead to flood damage.

It’s one of many homeowner’s worst nightmares: a large storm or local disaster has flooded your neighborhood in West Valley City, UT. Many who experience flooding for the first time are unprepared and uninformed, not knowing what to do after flood water has covered the streets or entered their home. To help you prepare, whether you’re facing a flooded home now or foresee its possibility in the future, here are three things not to do after a flood:

3 Things to Avoid After a Flood

1.Remain in your home. For you and your family’s safety, if water has entered your home, it’s important to leave and not reenter until flooding has subsided. In a flood’s immediate aftermath, the risk of rising water is still imminent due to the possibility of more rain, a compromised levy or busted dam. Find refuge outside the flood area, whether it be in a hotel, a loved one's home or a public shelter.

2. Touch the water. Flood water can be contaminated with any number of bacteria, sewage and/or chemicals that can be harmful to your skin and health. It’s also imperative to avoid standing water to minimize the risk of electric shock from electrical lines and equipment touching the water. If you must enter or be around the water for any reason, protective clothing such as rubber boots should be worn.

3. Fix it yourself. Repairing flood damage in a home can require a large amount of construction materials, professional knowledge and skill to ensure the damage is fully repaired and any mold is removed. Instead of trying to take on the job yourself, it’s best to save time and additional headaches by contacting a water damage repair and restoration company.

For any homeowner, flood water is certainly an unwelcome sight. Knowing what to do, or not do, in this type of disaster is imperative to keep you and your family safe and to begin the restoration process successfully.