What to Do After a Flood in Your House

One of the most devastating experiences for a homeowner is flooding. There are many causes of household flooding, such as heavy rains, sewer back ups, malfunctioning pumps, or burst pipes. No matter the reason, most occurrences of flooding will damage your property. If you don’t act quickly, furniture gets ruined, mould grows, and most importantly, repair and clean-up gets more complex and time consuming. Therefore, it’s better to stay informed on what to do in the event your house floods, and have an emergency plumber in Toronto on call. Here are some things to do after your house floods:

1. Safety comes first

The first step in any emergency home disaster situation is to remain calm. Keep your cool and evaluate the danger level. In order to remain safe, you may have to leave your home if the water builds up too much. Once you’re certain it is safe to return, deal with the aftermath in a structured and organized fashion. Make sure you turn off any electrical devices and power because if electricity comes in touch with water, it can lead to electrical shocks and short circuits. Wear protective clothing such as rubber boots and gloves. This is in case the water has been in contact with debris or sewage and, therefore, may not be safe to deal with directly. Be mindful that it is not simply water, but also harmful chemicals that the flooding may have washed in.

Another important point to remember is not to eat food contaminated by flood waters. Even if food has been exposed to flood water for a very short period, it can infect the items. This is especially true if the water was high enough to reach cabinets or your refrigerator. Throw away the food, and be sure to wash dinnerware, glasses, and flatware before use.

2. Manage the water flow

After making sure you are safe, find the source of water and stop its flow. This will prevent it from coming in and adding to the flooding. This may involve calling the city to remove debris from storm drains. Or, maybe you need to replace your malfunctioning sump-pump. These temporary measures allow you to stop the water flow before the professionals arrive. Depending on the level of flooding or the rooms affected, it is likely you will need to remove large quantities of water. You may need to bail water out using buckets, bins, or hoses. Wet vacuums are extremely helpful in sucking remaining bits of water and moisture from carpets, surfaces, and floors. If you’re lucky, perhaps all you’ll need to do is mop the mess up!

3. Call for help

Flooding is usually a complex affair, involving a faulty system rather than just one leaky pipe. Avoid DIYs and refer to the help of professionals. If you attempt a quick hack yourself, the issue may appear fixed, but is likely to come back in a bigger way. Not only does this method involve a lot of effort, it can also rack up your bill. It is better to hire technicians who know what they are doing and are equipped with the right tools to get the job done quickly, efficiently, and correctly.

Professionals can handle all sorts of plumbing problems, such as:

• Burst water pipes
• Frozen lines
• Backed up main drain
• Malfunctioning sump pump

They will know the correct way of fixing these problems, so they do not occur again. At Brothers Plumbing, we offer 24 hours emergency service. You can rest assured knowing that our highly trained plumbers will solve the problem, whether it is simple or complex, and you will have your house back in no time! We recognize the stress of a major issue like flooding causes, and do our best to help you in an efficient manner.

4. Clean-up

Once the water is gone, it’s time to restore your home to the way it was pre-flood. This will involve going through your belongings and determining if any items are too damaged, unsafe to use, or unsalvageable. Furniture will need to be dried, cleaned, or thrown away. Watch out for mould; it starts developing in the first 24 hours after a flood, and once it begins growing it is hard to remove. Mould can quickly grow unsafe to live in, as per national health and safety standards. It is probably best to refer to a professional company that specialises in mould control. Whether you choose a clean-up crew to help you or do the work yourself, pay attention to the small details because it is important to maintain safety measures. Professionals will assess the situation and be able to provide more accurate services than DIYs.

5. Repairs

The aftermath of a flood is the most difficult time to get through. There’s furniture to fix, flooring to be replaced, and maybe even broken windows to repair from water rushing in. Refer to your insurance company to get as much of the damages covered as possible. Board up any broken windows or entry points into the house to remove harmful debris and maintain safety. Make sure electronics are checked out by a professional before plugging them back into a power source. If you have any questions about the first steps for home repairs, or how to care for your home post-flood, reach out to professionals. Most plumbing companies will have a live chat, where you can ask questions for a prompt response and professional expertise.

To learn more about how we can help you with your emergency plumbing needs, call Brothers Plumbing at 800-742-0018 or contact us here.