Floods, pipe breaks, and other forms of water damage can happen at the most inconvenient times. You want to be prepared for the worst, but you also want to ensure your home is safe and dry as quickly as possible. Waiting to take action can cause major problems, such as mold and structural damage. Follow these quick steps to begin taking action in the aftermath of a flood.

Identify Mold

Whenever you discover water damage in your house, it's critical to do whatever you can to discourage mold growth. A flood can lead to mold development even as soon as a day after the event. Once it starts appearing it can be tough to remove mold growth. But the faster you remove your valuables from water and dry them, the less likely that mold will appear. It is best to call a specialist to help with the extensive drying process as soon as possible.

Safeguard Your Appliances and Valuables

You should take certain precautions to make sure you and your family are safe after extensive water damage. For example, you should make sure the power is off before entering a flooded area. You should, however, call an electrician if you must enter an area with standing water to turn off the power. Also, you can apply aluminum foil to the feet of any wooden furniture to prevent stains on your carpets or rugs. Any damp items that you find can be placed in open and unsealed containers.

Get In Touch With Your Insurance Company

The insurance company's response will vary depending on what policy you have. They will usually send an adjuster so they can see and document the water damage and assess whether it should be covered. Throughout the cleanup process, you should photograph as much as you can and list the values of every item you remember. This will assist the adjuster when they arrive to check the damage.

If your home was recently flooded, you should take the steps above to safeguard your home and belongings. However, you will want to take additional measures to ensure your home is safe and dry as quickly as possible. The longer you wait to begin the restoration process, the more damage you will have to deal with. The best thing you can do is contact a professional—such as Manta Construction & Restoration—as soon as you notice water damage in your home. The professional can assess the damage and determine the best course of action to restore your home to normal as quickly as possible. Hire a professional restoration company today if you have extensive water damage—they will know how to fix it and get your home back to normal.