Think you’re safe from a flood if you don’t live near the coast? Think again.
Though coastal homes are certainly more vulnerable, one study found that around 1 in 10 U.S. properties is in danger of flooding. Worse, you don’t have to live on a floodplain to experience a rising tide of water: just ask someone who’s struggling with a burst basement pipe!
Knowing what to do if your house floods is crucial whether you own a beach home or a property further inland. From basic safety to the cleanup in the aftermath, here’s what you should know if the waters start rising where you live.
Stay Safe
If you’re in your home during the flood, your first point of concern should always be your safety and the safety of your loved ones.
Depending on which of the many causes of floods you’re dealing with, you may have little to no time to prepare your home. Whenever possible, taking time for flood prevention tactics on the front end—like putting down sandbags and keeping your prized belongings on a high shelf—is a good idea. Once flooding has started, move to higher ground.
If the flooding isn’t due to a natural disaster, try to stop the water if you can. You may need to turn off the water in your home, or you may need to turn off a faucet.
If it’s safe to do so, you should also shut off the gas and electricity. If the flooding is serious, you may even want to leave the power off until a trained electrician can check the system and inspect and dry your fuse box or breaker.
Last, but not least, don’t enter the building if you’ve noticed any cracks or buckling in the walls or floors. Be sure to also check for cracks and warping in the foundation.
Let Yourself Grieve
It’s normal to feel despondent after you experience a home flooding. Though you’ll have a lot on your plate, be sure to give yourself space to grieve for any affected belongings, rooms, or even your entire home.
The grieving process may take time, and you’ll likely be emotional as you work to clean your home, but know that things will get better as you slowly recover from your loss.
Call Your Insurance Company
Whether you’re dealing with a flooded basement or total home flooding, it’s crucial to contact your insurer and inform them of the damage. This is true whether or not you have flood coverage: even if your insurance doesn’t cover the loss, your agent may be able to direct you toward helpful resources. In most cases of things like burst pipes, appliance issues, or city drain backups, your insurer may offer total coverage.
Be sure to follow all of your agent’s instructions and advice. In most cases, they’ll recommend that you begin documenting the damage to your home before you start making any repairs. Snap photos and take videos of the damage, and note any items missing or damaged on your home inventory, if you’ve created one.
Before you start remediation or repairs in the next steps, wait until your insurance adjuster has come to take a look at the house. This person will also need to document the property’s state after the flood.
Remove Standing Water
If there’s still standing water in your home after you’ve documented the area for your insurer, now is the time to remove it. You may need to use buckets, or you may be able to siphon the water with hoses.
A wet vac or sump pump can be helpful here as well, and most home improvement stores will rent these tools out if you don’t own one. From there, clean up small amounts of water from the floors with a mop or towels.
Working fast is always ideal here, as water can cause more damage to your home the longer it stays in place.
Hire a Cleanup Company
Once your insurance company gives the okay, it’s time to decide what to do about the cleanup.
If the flooding is minimal, you may be able to take care of some parts of the cleanup on your own. Be sure to wear protective gloves, goggles, and a safety mask. Clean dirt off of all surfaces, and then disinfect everything to remove harmful microorganisms.
If you’ve endured extensive flooding, on the other hand, especially as the result of a basement flood or natural disaster, you’ll want to call in an expert for water damage repair. A professional team can help you with challenges that are hard to tackle on your own, like drying out walls and or removing hidden water pockets. They can also help with mold remediation, which is often a major issue for homes that have had standing water for a day or more.
Make Repairs or Sell
Last, it’s time to make a personal choice that depends on the type of flooding, the damage caused, and how much time and effort you’re willing to invest: repair or sell? Start by assessing the damage, get some estimates from reputable contractors, and then decide what it will take to get your home back into a livable condition.
If you want to sell your water-damaged house, you may need to make a few basic repairs, or you can sell to a cash buyer to avoid spending more money on renovations.
Know What to Do if Your House Floods
Though no one wants to imagine the worst, knowing what to do if your house floods can be a great way to prepare yourself for any scenario. A bit of preparation, like making a home inventory or keeping sandbags in the basement, can go a long way if the waters start rising in your area. Even better, the simple safety tips and cleanup strategies above can help you get your life back in order if things go wrong, giving you a little more peace of mind.
As you work to protect your house, don’t forget to check out our other helpful home and real estate guides for more tips and tricks!