Home Restoration After Flooding

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

Storm damage restoration in Lakeland, FL.

After a Flood, You May Need To Restore Your Home

Take care of your most valuable investment—your home—by having a content cleaning plan. If storm-related flooding or pipe burst occurs in Lakeland, FL, you’ll be equipped to deal with any eventuality.

1. Whom to Call

The most important step in the event of a residential flood is the accurate assessment of the damage. Never enter a totally inundated basement, especially before the electrical systems have been shut off. Murky water with floating debris may be indicative of a high degree of contamination, especially if the body of water has come in contact with sewage or sewer lines. In these cases, it is best to contact a qualified water cleanup professional.

2. What to Do

Most cleanup services will begin by pumping water out of the affected area and ensuring that no continual leak remains. However, content cleaning involves more than just removing the obvious standing water. Many materials retain moisture and can harbor mold and bacterial growth. Porous materials and materials embedded deep in your home structures with poor air exposure may need to be torn out and replaced. Other non-porous materials can usually be dried provided that the room has sufficient airflow to clear the trapped water for good.

3. Other Considerations

Any substances that have come into contact with black water will likely need to be both dried and disinfected. Most professional services accomplish this with a combination of chemical and ultraviolet exposures to ensure that your belongings are decontaminated without damaging them. If drywall and insulation needs complete replacement, you might consider improving the plastic vapor barrier against the interior wall as well.

All in all, the most professional services can provide a content cleaning process at a reasonable cost with minimal disruption. Have the contact information of a cleanup company ready in case you or someone you know suffers any type of flooding event.