What to Do After a Flood in Your Fort Worth House

2/11/2021 (Permalink)

What do you do when you have gallons of water trapped in your house? Perhaps your instinct is to grab a bucket and start scooping it all out, but that’s not necessarily the best thing to do first.

While severe weather floods the insides of homes and businesses in Fort Worth, the most common cause of internal flooding is plumbing failure. In this guide, we’ll share what to do after a flood step by step.

What To Do After A Flood in 7 Steps

Floods are stressful, and unfortunately, there aren’t any shortcuts in the recovery process. He’s what to do after a flood in seven steps.

• Be Safe - Here are safety tips to follow:

• Heed evacuation advisories.
• Seek alternative shelter if the structure is hazardous.
• Turn off the main power to the house even if there is a power outage. Note: For your safety, only do this if you can without walking through the water.
• Do not make contact with contaminated water without adequate personal protective equipment. Blackwater contains potentially life-threatening toxins.

• Call for Help - Sometimes the only way to manage a water emergency is to call for help. Here are some examples of who to call:

• 911 - You are in a dangerous situation, someone needs medical attention, someone is lost, etc.
• Emergency electrician - You cannot safely turn off the power.
• City - Water main break, sewage spill beyond your property line.
• Emergency plumber - Water is gushing, and you can’t turn it off.
• SERVPRO - Contaminated water has entered your home, and it’s unsafe to clean up.
• Insurance/warranty company - If you have coverage for water damage or water emergencies.

• Stop the Flooding - If the water source is internal (from plumbing, appliances, etc.), shut off the main water valve. When floodwaters are coming in from the outside (from a storm, city sewer, water main break), contact city services for assistance.

• Document - If it’s safe to approach and reenter the property, take plenty of photos, videos, and notes to pass along to the insurance company or home protection organization.

• Clean Up - Water must be extracted from the structure, and all contaminated objects must be carefully bagged up or disposed of.

• Prevent Mold - Mold begins to grow about 48 hours after a flooding event. The home or building must be completely dry to prevent mold from growing inside and outside the structure.
• Prevent Future Floods - Inspect the home for potential plumbing problems that need preventative repair. Consider installing a flood alarm in places that might flood without forewarning (for example, the basement).

Contact SERVPRO of Fort Worth for Flood Damage Restoration

SERVPRO has been a trusted provider of Fort Worth water damage restoration for decades. We remove gallons of water from structures with high-powered extractors and use advanced techniques to prevent mold growth.

If you have coverage, we are the preferred restoration company for many top insurance companies, plus we work directly with them on your behalf. Call us 24/7 for emergency contact at (817) 589-1499.