The First 24 Hours After A Flood

The first day after a flood can be a total disaster and stress nightmare for you. On the other hand, if you are prepared and know what to do, the flooding may be a great inconvenience, but a manageable one. One of the most important things you can do within that first 24-hour window after a flood, whether it be for a personal or commercial property, is contact a certified cleaning and restoration to get on the scene as soon as possible and begin the restoration process right away. If you are in the Woodbury area, we at ICC Restoration are just one call away!

Here are our recommendations for what steps to take within the first 24 hours of a flood so you can be prepared.

Be Cautious

Your first instinct may be to rush into your property right away to assess the damage and begin fixing it after a flood. However, this is oftentimes the last thing you should do. Flood water is often contaminated with dangerous microorganisms and bacteria that can cause serious diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever. Don’t enter your property after a flood until you are sure it is safe to be in. Typically, you’ll want a water damage restoration team to come in and assess the level and the extent of the damage before you try to enter the affected area.

Document The Damage

Before you remove any water or make any repairs, fully document the damage for your insurer by taking photos or video. Digital versions are best because they can be stored electronically and easily copied. If you start removing water or making repairs before you photograph the damage, you could potentially decrease the extent of your coverage, he says.

Call A Certified Cleaning And Restoration Company

You may have an initial inclination to take on the water damage restoration process on your own. However, it is a very involved and detailed process that is best done by the pros. Certified professionals can help you throughout the water damage restoration process in a quick, efficient, and quality manner.

Contact Your Insurance Company

You’ll need to contact your insurance company immediately. The sooner you do this better.  Your mitigation process will move along faster if you are directly involved with the insurance company from the beginning. 

Secure The Property

It’s important that you secure your property as soon as you can after a flood. You can do this by boarding any broken or damaged windows and securing a tarp over the roof if your roof was damaged at all.

Now that you have this guide, we hope that if you ever find yourself suffering from the effects of a flood, commercial or personal, that you will feel like you have some control of the situation. For further guidance in getting through a water damage disaster, the pros at ICC Restoration are here for you to get you through the restoration process and answer any questions you may have.