Top 25 Tips After A Flood!

Puritan Restoration helps home and business owners in Norwood, Newton, Framingham, Cambridge, Needham, Brookline MA and surrounding areas. We are passionate about helping our customers with their flood concerns.

We are experts at water damage restoration and have helped 1000s of customers since our humble beginnings over 40 years ago.

US Army Veterans, Paul and Chris Daniele have serviced home owners and prestigious businesses, including The Mass Horticulture Society’s Library, The Ritz Carlton Residences, Google, Bose, and Brigs LLC., to name a few.

Passionate about their services, Puritan continues to work throughout Boston and the surrounding areas to share their knowledge and experience to help anyone who may have issues with water or mold. In addition to this blog, Puritan has also published articles in Facilities Management Magazines, NE Real Estate Journal and more.

Because flood damage is such a large concern, our rapid response team is available 24/7. Call 617-527-2229! We understand and empathize with the stress that occurs when your home or business starts to flood. Listed below are the top 25 tips you should consider if your home or business is flooding.

Top 25 Flood Awareness Tips!

Call your local Certified Water Damage Restoration Contractor.

Grab a flashlight (even during the day if you have had a basement flood).

Shut off the electricity at the breakers to those areas affected.

Before you walk into the water damaged area, look for any potential hazards. Is the ceiling about to collapse, is the floor slippery, is that chandelier about to fall, etc?…… Be Careful !!!!!!!

Try to determine what has caused the leak. If it is a leaking pipe, shut the water off to the whole house. This shut off is usually located in the basement or right next to where the water pipe enters your home.

If you determine the flood in your basement is sewerage, leave the basement immediately and wait for the professionals to arrive. This type of flood damage is hazardous to you and your family’s health. If you have young children or someone who is immune-compromised, it would be wise to leave your home and not return until the Restoration Contractors have finished decontaminating the affected area.

If the water is not deep, put aluminum foil or plastic wrap under furniture legs. This will protect your furniture as well as protecting the carpet from getting stained from the furniture. Sometimes the stain will transfer from the furniture to the carpet, which if it happens, can permanently damage the carpeting.

Turn the temperature down below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Move anything which might break in the water-damaged areas before the Restoration Contractors arrive. By doing this now there is less chance for them to break that family heirloom.

Remove everything small and light from the floor, for example, shoes, books, magazines, boxes, etc. Clean out everything stored in your closets, so when the Restoration Contractors are working, they will have easy access to those areas.

Any furniture which is light, try to move them to a dry area of the house.

Tie up any drapery so they are not sitting in the water.

Only return home only when local officials have declared the area safe. Listen to your local radio or TV stations for updates.

Before entering your home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks or other damage.

Parts of your home may be collapsed or damaged. Approach entrances carefully. See if porch roofs and overhangs have all their supports.

Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes that may have come into your home with the floodwater.

If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.

If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water.

Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater.

Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel, and damaged fuel containers are hazardous.

Check with local authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk.

During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots.

Make sure your food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils, and baby bottle nipples. When in doubt, throw it out!

Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice, or make baby formula.

Contact your local or state public health department for specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area after a disaster as water may be contaminated.

Got Flood Restoration Questions?

In addition to the tips above, it is very important that you do not throw out anything that’s water damaged until you have spoken with your insurance company. If the flood is caused by a leaking pipe and you have homeowners insurance or renters insurance you are probably covered for this type of loss. But to be safe, you should call your insurance agent first to see if you are covered by insurance. If you are covered, wait until the insurance adjuster comes and inspects your home before you throw anything out.

If you have further questions, please call us, 617-527-2229, or send us an email. The goal of Puritan Restoration is to restore your house or business to its pre-flooding condition. We are experts with over 40 years of experience. Peace of mind is just a phone call away! 🙂

Top 25 Tips After A Flood!