Storm Water and Other Flooding Can Cause a Lot of Damage

10/15/2020 (Permalink)

When flooding happens, whether it’s from a strong storm or other external causes, people are often surprised and shocked at the amount of damage that happens inside their homes, including mud, debris and more. Homeowners whose homes flood because of floodplains or nearby construction need to get their homes dried out and cleaned quickly. Otherwise, several other problems can quickly develop and cause future problems and expenses to homeowners. SERVPRO of East Phoenix knows how to handle water damage. Learn the steps to recover from flooding.

What to do after flooding

Since we live in the desert, people incorrectly assume they’ll likely never experience flooding from storm damage or floodplains but surprisingly, we actually have several floodplains right here in the Valley that can put homes at risk. Homes that suffer from flood damage can become habitable again with the proper steps. Drying out an affected home is only half of the battle in saving a home. Flooding brings in untold amounts of debris full of pathogens and chemicals that can cause issues. It’s imperative to deal with all these issues to completely restore your home safely.

How SERVPRO of East Phoenix can help

We eliminate any water, debris, chemicals, etc. that may have entered your home with a flood and sanitize your flooded home so that you can live in it again safely. Our trained technicians typically start by drying out your home and possessions. To dry out your home, we use pumps for any remaining water that’s still in your home. We treat saturated areas by heating them and increasing the circulation of the air around them. This includes all surfaces, and even though ceilings may never touch floodwaters, evaporation causes them to become saturated, also. Belongings can be transferred to our site for temporary storage and to receive treatment that dries them out and sanitizes the items, removing any pathogens and other contaminants.

Why sanitizing is a necessary step with water damage

Sanitizing your home's interior keeps the home safe for your family when they return home. Some items in your home require their removal and replacement because of the inability of any known methods to adequately clean them. These include carpeting, mattresses, and many food products, including those inside your refrigerator. Our technicians will discuss their recommendations regarding treatment vs. replacement so you can decide what’s best for you based on the fact. One item that typically needs to be replaced is carpeting. Carpeting cannot remain after a flood because of the possibility of pathogens and other microbes to adhere to the fibers in the carpet; mold growth and odor will soon follow if not removed. Mattresses can harbor pathogens much the same way that carpet can and therefore also need to be removed and replaced vs. trying to treat them and return them to the home. Of course, food items can hold microbes in tiny areas that defy even the best cleaning techniques so if any items in a pantry were dampened by floodwaters, it best to discard them for safety reasons.

What to do if you experience a flood in your home

To clean and sanitize your home, our technicians use the latest methods available with high quality equipment and cleaners. We want to ensure that your home protects you and your family by being clean and habitable. At SERVPRO of East Phoenix, we have the tools and equipment to help us put our skills and training to work for you. Call us at (602) 507-6163 whenever you have flood damage or other disaster-related situations in your home.