Flood Remediation: How to Mitigate Damage
In the event of a flood, it’s important to take steps to mitigate the damage as much as possible. A flood can cause serious damage to your home and belongings, so it’s crucial to be prepared. In this article, we’ll explore some of the ways you can mitigate the damage a flood can cause, and hasten the process of flood remediation.
One of the best ways to mitigate the damage caused by a flood is to move your belongings to higher ground. If you have time before the floodwaters reach your home, take advantage of it and move as much as you can to safety. Get your furniture and other valuables off the floor and onto higher surfaces. If possible, put them in waterproof bags or containers. The more you can protect your belongings from the water, the less damage they’ll sustain.
Another way to mitigate the damage of a flood is to seal off any openings in your home that could allow water inside. This includes doors and windows. If possible, put sandbags or other heavy objects in front of these openings to keep the water out. You should also ensure that your doors and windows are properly sealed with weatherproofing material, especially if you expect to experience a flood.
In addition, it’s essential to make sure all of your electrical appliances are unplugged before the flood comes. This can help prevent electrocution and water damage to your electronics. If you have time to do so, consider disconnecting any appliances in lower areas of your home as well.
By taking these steps to mitigate the damage of a flood can cause, you can help protect your home and belongings from harm. But even if you take all the necessary precautions, it’s still important to have a plan in place in case of an emergency. Be sure to have the contact information for professional help ready, and know where you would go and what you would do if your home was flooded. With a little preparation, you can be as prepared as possible for a flood, and minimize the damage it causes.
It’s important to prepare for a flood emergency by keeping certain items on hand, such as sandbags or other flood barriers, and having an evacuation plan in place. When the flooding occurs, it’s important to stay calm and remember that the water will eventually recede. While you wait for the flooding to subside, you can take steps to mitigate the damage by moving valuable or irreplaceable items to a higher level, and by using fans and dehumidifiers to dry out wet areas.
Once the floodwaters have receded, it’s important to begin the process of flood remediation as soon as possible. This involves removing all wet items from the premises, and cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces that have been in contact with the floodwaters. It’s also important to dry out the premises as much as possible to prevent mold and mildew from growing. If you take these steps, you can minimize the damage a flood can cause, and get your home back to normal as soon as possible.
So, while a flood can cause serious damage to your home and belongings, there are ways you can mitigate the damage and hasten the flood remediation process. By being prepared for a flood emergency, taking action as soon as possible after the flooding occurs, and using these tips to clean up afterward, you can ensure that any flooding event will be only a minor setback for you and your family. Best of luck!
Getting Your Home Winter-Ready
Parts of the Midwest have already seen snowflakes flying this fall, and as we all know – Hudson Valley won’t be far behind! Before it gets too frigid and snowy, there are some things you can do to make sure your home is ready to withstand another winter and another potential water damage emergency. The professionals at Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. would like you to take some precautions and make sure you don’t have to experience a disaster this year.
When was the last time you took a good look at your gutters? It’s important that gutters are free and clear of debris year-round, including going into winter so ice and snow have a place in which to melt and drain away from your home. Overflowing gutters put unnecessary strain on your roof, which would eventually collapse under the weight. So many basement floods are the result of clogged gutters – we’ve seen it happen more times than we care to admit! As you’re cleaning your gutters, it’s a good idea to make sure water is being sent away from your home all around.
This includes cracks in the foundation of your home, or in walkways, steps, or other stonework. This will help ensure water and cold air stay outside your home, and where walkways are concerned – gives you a nice, smooth surface for shoveling. Cracks can cause water to leak into your home and the water can damage the structure of your home. Protect your walls, ceilings, and floors so that water does not destroy them.
- Look for energy efficiency problems
Have you ever walked past a window or door in your home and felt a draft? It’s a good idea to think about making some energy efficiency improvements if that’s happened to you. This could mean caulking around doors and windows and adding weather stripping, adding extra insulation in the attic, and repairing cracked or broken windows. Often, local energy companies offer free energy efficiency audits of customers’ homes to show you where improvements could be made in your home to improve energy efficiency and in turn, reduce your energy bills.
No one wants their furnace going out at 1 a.m. in the middle of January. So, it’s a good idea to spend a little bit of money now to have your furnace or boiler inspected to make sure everything is running as it should, and you are getting maximum efficiency from your system.
If you’re one of those homeowners who can’t get enough of a real wood-burning fireplace, make sure it’s ready to go for the winter months! If you haven’t had your chimney cleaned out in some time, you should consider having a chimney sweep come and do the job for you. Even if everything looks fine to the naked eye, there could be creosote buildup on the inside of the chimney, or even internal water damage, where some bricks need to be tuck-pointed.
Oh …. And while you’re having the fireplace readied for some cozy winter nights, don’t forget to stock up on nice, dry firewood.
Are you ready in case there’s another massive snow or ice storm this winter? Usually, we have enough warning to stock up, but it’s still a good idea to have an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food items, flashlights, etc. on hand just in case. If you’ve been without power for long periods of time in previous winters, you could also consider purchasing a generator. Also, have contact information ready to contact a professional service just in case you do experience water damage or a fire disaster.
If you are in Hudson Valley, keep in mind that if you happen to experience a water damage emergency and need professional services to help restore your property, contact the certified & insured professionals at Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc..
How to Spot Basement Flooding
No one is going to be thrilled to come home to a wet basement. Basement flooding, or basement flood damage, can manifest itself in many ways, from a broken pipe, natural disaster, or faulty appliance, if you have basement flood damage, you have a problem. Water damage can cause major damage to your property and could cost thousands of dollars in repairs if left untreated.
A basement with padding can quickly become a severely expensive project. Excess or standing water can cause structural damage, electrical damage and lead to mold or mildew growth. It’s important is determine the source of the damage, but it’s even more important to fix the problem before it gets worse.
Once you discover that your basement has flooded, it’s highly recommended that you call the certified technicians at Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc.. Our technicians have the knowledge and tools to limit the amount of damage to your property. We offer 24/7 emergency restoration services, if you have basement flood damage in your home, we’ll get a water damage professional to your property quickly to evaluate the problem. Our technicians can safely and effectively perform flood mitigation and flood repairs on your property.
Our Services:
- Water Extraction
- Mold Remediation
- Surface and Air Drying
What to Expect When We Arrive?
Our uniformed and certified flood damage technician will come to your door. He/she will walk your property to assess the extent of the damage and construct a comprehensive plan that will indicate which areas should be addressed first.
If there is standing water in your basement, it is crucial to first extract the water and remove wet items to limit extent of the damage and prevent mold growth or structural insecurity. We’ll then work to dry your home with fans and proceed with any additional remediation and restoration plan.
Our technicians will go over the plan and informational forms to provide you with the knowledge necessary to have a full understanding of the water damage remediation and restoration process.
If you have questions, concerns or need immediate assistance for your basement due to flooding damage, call us at (845) 637-3987.