water restoration

How to Prepare for Flood Damage

Flooding is stressful and scary. When you hear about flooding in different areas of the country, you may think “thank goodness that wasn’t me.” However, flooding could happen to you at any moment since it is the most common natural disaster. Unlike other disasters, flooding can happen anywhere in the United States. You can experience small flooding from an appliance or flash flooding from a storm. No matter what type of flood you are dealing with, there will be damage and you will need water restoration. However, you can prepare yourself and your home for flood damage with these simple tips.

Waterproof Your Basement

There are two different options when it comes to waterproofing your basement. You can hire a professional, which can be expensive, but you will know that job is done right. The second option is to waterproof your basement yourself. To waterproof your basement, the first thing you will do is use concrete sealant on your walls and floors. The second thing you can and should do is install a sump pump.

Move Furniture and Valuables

When the news issues a flood warning, then it is time to move your furniture and valuables. You do not just want to move them away from the walls and windows, but to a safe area where water cannot reach them. You should only move your furniture if you have time. Your main concern during a flood is to get yourself and your family to a safe location. Even after flooding occurs, you need to move furniture and valuables as soon as possible to reduce the chances of flood damage.

Add Flood Insurance

You will want to check your homeowner’s insurance to see if your policy covers flood damage. Most homeowner’s insurance does not cover flooding. If you live in an area where floods are prone to happen, then it is a good idea to add flood insurance to your policy.

Elevate Electrical Units

Electricity can make your home unsafe after flooding. To reduce the chances of your home being unsafe, you should elevate your electrical units twelve inches above flooding level. Elevating your electrical units will help reduce the risk of not being able to enter your home after a flood.

Have an Emergency Plan

You may not think you need an emergency flood plan. But as we said, floods can happen anywhere in the United States. It is always a good idea to have a flood evacuation plan for both your family and your home. One step of your plan after the flood should be who to call for water restoration. If you are looking for a reliable flood restoration company, then look no further than American Fire & Water Restoration. American Fire & Water Restoration offers flood repairs, and they can also work with your insurance company to make sure that you are covered. Start protecting your home and your family by calling American Fire & Water Restoration to restore your home after a flood. American Fire & Restoration is here to help you!

Water Restoration

How Long Does Water Restoration Take?

Knowing how long water restoration takes can give you some peace of mind after your home has been damaged by water. There are several things that determine how long the restoration process will take. This includes the type of damage and how severe the damage is. Here are some things that will determine how long your water restoration will take:

What Repairs Need to Be Made

Before restoration experts begin repairing the damage to your home, there are a few things that they have to consider. First, they will have to determine the amount of water involved. It is faster and easier to repair minor damage than major damage. Also, they will have to consider the length of moister exposure. The longer that your home has been exposed to moisture, the long the water restoration process will take.

Furthermore, professionals will have to identify which materials were affected. Water restoration work varies depending on different structural components. For example, wood floors are likely to suffer from more damage than stone floors.

Different Types of Damage

How long the water restoration process will take also depends on the type of damage that has been done to your home. Experts must always check for mold and mildew. If water has been allowed to set to several days, it is likely that mold and mildew have began to grow. It usually takes around seven days to remove the mold and mildew.

The next thing they will look for is damaged floors. Some types of floors are more likely to suffer from damage than other, like wood and porous concrete floors. The floor replacement process can take anywhere between four and ten days.

Additionally, water damage can cause paint to peel and this will have to be restored as well. Depending on the amount of water damage, repainting a room can take up to several hours. Furthermore, it will take an extra day or two if your walls must be repaired before they can be painted.

Next, professionals will check any wood structural components. Beams and columns that are made of wood are likely to warp or begin to break down if they are exposed to water damage. However, these repairs usually only take an extra day or two.

 

There are many things that must be considered before the water restoration process can begin. Professionals must assess the damage and determine what kind of repairs need to be made. Additionally, they must determine how much and what kind of damage has been done. The length of the process will depend on the types of damage and how severe the damage is. To learn more about water restoration, visit American Fire and Water Restoration.