As a homeowner, there is nothing worse than something happening to your home. And when your home floods, you may feel overwhelmed or unsure of your next steps. Having a plan to deal with rising water and mitigating damages can make your life easier and ensure your home becomes safe and livable again as soon as possible.
Talk to Your Insurance Company
One especially important step after flooding is talking to your insurance provider. It is a good idea to take plenty of photos and document the damage that occurred, that way your insurance provider has the information they need to help you out.
It’s important to talk with your insurance to figure out the cause of the flooding and understand the extent to which they can help you. Not only can they help you financially, your insurance provider will also have information on appropriate next steps that can help you salvage as much as you can of your home and belongings. Make sure to listen to your insurance provider to find out whether you should act immediately or wait for an adjuster to come out before starting necessary repairs.
Keep an Eye Out for Mold
Once you’ve talked with your insurance provider, you have to start dealing with the physical problems the flood has caused. Any time there is an increase in moisture in your home, there is a risk of mold. Mold can cause a lot of problems over time, so catching it early is important. Mold can not only hurt your belongings and home, it can also be dangerous to breathe, so it’s especially important to take care of it as soon as it appears.
One clear sign of mold is a bad odor around the affected area. Take care to clean and repair the damaged areas to prevent mold from spreading, and if it is particularly bad, it may be a good idea to call in a professional.
Make Sure Everything is Dry
The key to successfully overcoming a flood and avoiding major problems is to get everything dry as quickly as possible. Especially in humid areas like Florida, drying things out can be difficult and even more important. Air circulation is one of the most useful things you can do to dry out your home and start getting back to normal. You can use the heating and cooling system in your home to get the drying process going. You may also want to bring in fans to help optimize the process. Any removable items (clothes, blankets, and furniture) that are wet should be removed so they don’t slow down the drying process. Placing them outside in the sunlight can help the drying process as well.
Dealing with a flood is never ideal, but it can be a lot less stressful if you know what to do. Be sure to contact your insurance company and take care of damage if you find your home flooded in the future.
Also, remember that flood damage is not covered in standard homeowners policies and that every Florida property is in a Flood Zone. Request your quote for Florida Flood Insurance today.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Views expressed here do not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein is for general guidance of matter only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Discussion of insurance policy language is descriptive only. Every policy has different policy language. Coverage afforded under any insurance policy issued is subject to individual policy terms and conditions. Please refer to your policy for the actual language.
