Flooding is one natural disaster we can do nothing to prevent and when it does occur, serious property damage is often the result; water might be the giver of life but too much will damage almost all materials, especially timber and cement. Once the flood waters have receded, it is time for the clean-up, and the sooner you get started, the better.
Here in Queensland and New South Wales, homeowners are having to deal with post flood damage and with that in mind, here are a few tips on dealing with receding flood water.
- Shut off the power – We all know that water and electricity don’t mix and if there is standing water, you need to shut off the power at the mains. This should be the first thing that you do upon arriving at the property, as electrocution is a very real risk!
- The threat of mould – As we all know, mould thrives on moist conditions and it is harmful to your health; mould & moisture testing from a leading Sydney expert can determine the degree of mould and carry out preventative treatment. Mould removal and control is the best solution and there are companies that work around the clock.
- Airborne spores – Mould comes in many different forms and some are airborne and can cause serious respiratory issues. The mould specialist can test for all forms of mould and fungi and they have the treatments available to eliminate the problem once and for all.
- Act quickly – Time is of the utmost essence when dealing with post-flood damage and your home insurance would cover the cost of calling in a specialist company to salvage what they can. Of course, these companies are very busy at the moment, as many hundreds of homes are underwater; a large company would have the resources and the manpower to deal with many properties and the sooner you make contact, the better. Here are a few reasons why a property has a damp issue.
- Salvaging furniture & appliances – If you call in the post-flood experts, they will immediately get to work and salvage as much as possible. They would have fully equipped mobile units with huge dryers that can be left in a room to dry out the atmosphere, plus they have the equipment to remove water, should that be necessary. Hardwood furniture can usually be saved by scrubbing up with a household detergent, and regarding hardwood flooring, it very much depends on how long the timber has been underwater. Using a scrubbing brush should remove all the mould from hardwood furniture and when the experts arrive, they would prioritise the salvage operation.
As mentioned above, time is not on your side when dealing with post-flood damage in your home and the sooner you contact a) your insurance provider and b) a post-flood specialist firm, the more chance you have of saving items.
The Australian government are helping homeowners to deal with the cost of flood damage and you should make contact to see if you qualify for a grant.
