A flood can have devastating impacts on both residential and commercial properties, causing significant damage and stress. The key to recovery is swift action.
What you should do if you’ve been affected by a flood:
Major Flood Event
- Evacuate immediately: If your property and surrounding area has been hit by a major weather event take extra caution and evacuate if required.
- Keep up to date with news: Listen to local radio stations for emergency managements officials advice specific to your community and situation. Please follow advice from Civil Defence when regional flooding occurs.
Localised flooding at your property
- Turn off the utilities: Keep yourself safe by turning off the power and gas to the property to prevent any fires or electrical hazards that might be caused by the water damage.
- Stop the source: If the flood is due to a plumbing issue, turn off the main water supply to prevent further water damage.
Safety First
- Evacuate immediately: If there’s standing water and electrical hazards, prioritise safety. Leave the premises and contact emergency services.
- Turn off the utilities: Before re-entering the property, ensure that electricity, gas, and water supplies are turned off. This will help prevent fires, gas leaks, and electrical hazards.
- Protect yourself: Wear rubber gloves, sturdy footwear, a long sleeved top and trousers as well as a mask when handling flood-affected items to safeguard your health.
- Discard consumables: Dispose of all food and drinks that may have been exposed to floodwater, this includes any canned goods and items stored in containers. In the event of major flooding ensure your water supply hasn’t been contaminated before using it and don’t consume garden produce from soil affected by flooding.
Document and Call for Help
- Capture the damage: Take photos and videos of the affected areas for insurance purposes.
- Contact JAE: Our flood restoration experts are available 24/7. Call us on 0800 225 552 to initiate the drying process and prevent mould growth.
Prevent Further Damage
- Move valuables: If not required to evacuate, remember safety first, isolate power to your property, wear protective gear, like rubber boots, and try to protect any unaffected item by moving to a dry area if possible.
- Ventilate the area: Open windows and doors to promote airflow and reduce moisture buildup.
Do you need help with your flooded property NOW? Give the team at JAE a call, they’re available 24/7!
Things to avoid doing after a Flood:
A flood can be a stressful event, but staying calm and taking the right steps can minimise damage. Here’s what you should avoid after your property has been flooded:
- Don’t wade through water: Floodwater can be contaminated with sewage and debris and may hide electrical hazards. Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters unless absolutely necessary.
- Avoid unstable areas: Stay out of rooms with sagging ceilings or buckling floors, as they might collapse.
- Don’t risk electrical dangers: Never touch electrical appliances or outlets if they’ve been submerged or are in contact with water. Leave electrical work to qualified professionals to avoid shock or fire.
- Resist the urge to turn on appliances: Flooded appliances can cause electrical shorts and fires. Leave them off until a certified electrician has checked them for safety.
- Skip DIY drying methods: Large-scale water damage requires professional drying techniques. Using household fans or heaters can trap moisture and worsen the problem. Refrain from using regular household vacuum cleaners to remove water, as they are not designed for water extraction and could cause electrical shock or damage the equipment. Call JAE for the most effective drying solutions.
- Don’t panic: It may feel like your home has suffered irreconcilable damage, but professional flood restoration teams like JAE can restore many aspects of a flood damaged property back to it’s original state. After a flood JAE can restore structural elements (like GIB board), furniture and upholstery, carpets and rugs, wood and tile flooring as well as kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
Remember, time is of the essence when dealing with flood damage. Quick action can significantly reduce the extent of the damage, reduce the chances of mould and expedite the restoration process.
The team at JAE are qualitied flood technicians who can act quickly to begin the flood restoration process if your home has been affected by flooding. Whether it’s from natural disaster or a leaky pipe the team at JAE can help with all sorts of flood restoration!
