Flooded basement in Ames

4/22/2020 (Permalink)

If you’re experiencing any water damage from flooding, SERVPRO of Ames is available 24/7 to assist you with any repairs.

If your home in Ames has been impacted by a flood, it is common to feel like you are ready to get started on recovering right away.

While getting started as quickly as possible is a smart decision, it is also vital that you make your own safety a priority and ensure you are not putting yourself in harm’s way or causing any further damage to your home. Acting quickly following a flood is possible as long as you are also taking the right steps to keep yourself and your household safe.

Returning Home in the Aftermath of a Flood

Avoid further safety hazards. The first thing to remember after a flood is to never return home until officials have deemed it safe. There are many dangers such as electrical currents, contaminated water and other hidden hazards that might be present. If you can do so safely, turn off the electricity main to the house, but never do so if it is in standing water.

Air out the home. If there is no inclement weather on the horizon, opening doors and windows up will help rid the home of stale and hazardous air. Mold growth will have likely already started if surfaces are wet, but increasing air circulation can prevent it from becoming out of hand. If it has been a few days since you have been able to enter the house, entering to begin the airing out process and then leaving to let the toxic air escape is advised.

Document the damages. While it can be tempting to start the cleanup process right away, it is recommended to take pictures of the damages and impacted objects before touching anything for flood insurance purposes. While many floods are not covered under general homeowner’s policies, if you do have coverage, having documentation of the damages can help you get the most out of your claim.

Contact your restoration and insurance companies right away. It is always recommended to let your insurance company know about flood damage as soon as possible to see what coverage options are available to you. Next, you should reach out to your preferred restoration company to get the process started right away. The longer flood and water damage sits untreated, the more damage it can do to the structure of your home.

If your home has been damaged in a flood, we are here for you. You can contact us ²⁴⁄₇ to receive a quick response and set the restoration process in motion.  We service all of Story County and Boone County.