It’s a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Your home and your house have become a swimming pool. It doesn’t matter if it’s from a burst pipe or a natural disaster, a flooded home is a nightmare. Florida is known for getting hit by hurricanes, and if you live in Pembroke Pines, FL, you know this all too well. McCormick Insurance Inc. is here to help with some tips on what to do after your home is flooded.
When you first return to your home, safety should be your number one priority. Turn off the main power to your house, but call a professional if you can’t do so without standing in water. This is important even if your home has lost power in the flood; you never know when it will get turned back on. Also, as you assess the damage, open windows and doors to let the house air out. It is very likely there is mold growing in your home, and there could also be sewage that has leaked into the water. Before you walk all over the house, check for shifts or cracks in the foundation. If you find that you cannot deal with any aspect of your flooded home safely, be sure to call a professional.
Once you have determined that it is safe to be in the home, you can begin to clean up. Slowly remove any standing water and get rid of mud while it is still wet. Once the water is gone, clean and disinfects all surfaces; you never know what the water was contaminated with. While you can salvage some items in your home, there are probably many, such as mattresses and couches, that you will need to throw out and replace.
Once you re-enter your home, it’s important to contact your insurance agency if you haven’t already. Serving Pembroke Pines, FL, and the surrounding area, McCormick Insurance Inc. can help you navigate the next steps.