No one wants to deal with a natural disaster; it’s devastating, honestly, even that doesn’t even describe the feeling. Even if your home and other homes in the area have construction materials that can typically withstand a natural disaster, it doesn’t mean your home is resilient. You have to keep in mind how strong Mother Nature is, especially with winds going over 100 mph or flooding that has lasted for days on end.
Actually, flooding is different. It’s exhausting, it’s expensive, and it leaves behind this gross uncertainty, like, what’s ruined that can’t even be seen yet. Sometimes, damage only takes a few minutes, like an earthquake, a storm, or a tornado. But flooding can happen for days on end and just stays there. So, after a flood, once it’s safe to go back home, what do you need to do? What should be checked first?
Make Sure the House is Safe Before Touching Anything Else
Yes, you absolutely NEED to start right here! So yes, safety comes first, even if the instinct is to run inside and start saving stuff. If there’s any chance that electrical systems got wet, power should stay off until it’s confirmed safe. Water and electricity are not a “maybe it’ll be fine” situation, right? Actually, the gas lines matter too, because flooding can shift things around, and the last thing anyone needs is a leak on top of everything else.
But of course, that’s not all, because it’s the actual structure of the house too. So, if the flooding was significant, it’s also smart to check for obvious structural concerns before spending hours inside. Walls that look bowed, ceilings that look like they’re sagging, or anything that feels unstable should be treated seriously. You don’t want to risk any injuries, and a weak house almost guarantees that.
Document Everything
You probably already knew to do this, especially if you’re going to file a claim with your homeowners insurance company. Literally, anything and everything needs to be documented. Actually, it’s not just pictures and videos here because the receipts matter as well.
So, this includes hotel stays, supplies, dehumidifiers, fans, and any emergency repairs; keep it all. Insurance claims can be slow and frustrating, and solid documentation can help reduce the back-and-forth. Well, hopefully it reduces back and forth; it’s kind of hard to say (some companies are so hard to manage here, too).
Is the Water Already Out?
Well, if not, then it’s time to get to it. It depends on the severity and what happened because sometimes you might need to get a professional to pump it out (and usually there are volunteers that will help during a crisis like this). Everything needs to be dried out, usually that requires removing textiles, furniture, carpet, having the windows opened, you name it. Usually, you’ll need professional cleanup because sewage water usually gets into the flooding water, and you really can’t DIY the cleanup once sewage is involved.
Check the Foundation and Structure for Any Red Flags
Hopefully, there aren’t any, but you just never know here. So, once the urgent safety and drying steps are in motion, it’s time to look at what flooding can do underneath the home. So, water can saturate soil, wash out support in certain areas, and create pressure against foundation walls. The longer the water was there, the more likely there’s going to be some red flags too.
But cracks that look new, cracks that widened, walls that look like they’re bowing, floors that feel uneven, doors that suddenly stick, those are all clues. If anything looks off, calling a foundation repair company for an evaluation can help confirm what’s cosmetic, what’s normal settling, and what actually needs attention. And usually during a crisis, you can expect that contractors will offer a reduced rate, give free inspections, or something along those lines. It’s not always guaranteed, of course, but usually there’s leeway for natural disaster victims at least.
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