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Flooding happens, and it's a traumatic experience. You wake up one day to find your home wholly submerged in water. You walk outside and see the devastation of your property, the mud everywhere, the smell of mold permeating everything. It can be hard to know where to start with the cleanup - but don't worry! Here are four tips that will help you recover after experiencing flooding at home.
Take Inventory.
The first step is taking inventory of all your belongings and determining which ones need immediate attention (e.g., electronics), which ones need less urgent care (e.g., clothing), and which items should be thrown away or donated (e.g., dishes). This process will take some time, but it's necessary to ensure you're not missing anything important.
Keep in mind that some items may be too damaged to save, even after being cleaned and dried out. If this is the case, don't hesitate to let them go. It's more important to focus on your safety and well-being than on holding onto possessions that can only bring you pain.
Contact a Remediation Company.
The next step is dealing with the water itself. Depending on how much water there is, you may need to call a professional moport restoration company. They will help pump out the water, dry out the area, and treat any mold that may have started growing. This process can be expensive, but it's crucial to ensure your home is safe to live in again. If you're doing the cleanup yourself, remember to wear gloves, a mask, and goggles when dealing with water-damaged items. You don't want to get sick from the bacteria or mold spores floating around in the air.
Get in Touch with Insurance.
No matter how much you try to save the items in your home, sometimes they're too far gone. When this happens, it's time to call your insurance company and find out their policies for flood damage (if you haven't done so already). They may give you a check that is enough to replace everything on your list - or they may only pay part of the cost. Either way, knowing exactly what will happen next can help ease some stress as you figure out how to proceed from here.
Consider Financing some Repairs.
Even if your home is now relatively safe, some repairs cannot be left undone. If this applies to you, consider financing the cost of those necessary repairs from a credit card or loan company. It may seem like it will take years before they finish their work - but in reality, most companies can fix a house within two weeks! Plus, giving yourself time between cleaning and reconstruction means less stress on your part as well. Additionally, this will allow time for the insurance company to write your check - so you don't have to worry about how much money is coming in.
The Bottom Line.
Recovering from a flood can be difficult, but it's not impossible. Just remember to take things one step at a time and reach out for help when you need it. With these tips in mind, you'll be back on your feet before you know it!
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