Flood damage restoration is a process that includes an assessment of the damages, identifying and mitigating further damages, and removal of damaged materials before making any repairs.
What is Flood Damage?
Flood damage is a term used to describe water damage that results from a flood. Flood damage can come in many forms, including: water seepage, roofing and siding leaks, basement flooding, and more.
The most common cause of flooding is heavy rain or snowmelt, which can overflow rivers and streams and soak nearby soil. The rain or snowmelt runoff then flows into creeks and streams, picking up sediment along the way. When the water reaches high levels, it can overwhelm drainage systems and cause flooding.
Flooding can also occur from natural events like hurricanes or earthquakes. Tornadoes are also known to cause flooding. In all cases, flood damage occurs when water accumulates faster than it can be drained away.
Types of Flooding
Flooding can be classified by the type of water involved:
– Flash flooding is caused by a sudden burst of rain or snowfall. It can occur in just a few seconds, leaving water flowing quickly down a slope or filling an area quickly.
– Moderate flooding is caused by steady rain or snow that falls over a period of time, eventually reaching a depth where water accumulates and causes flooding.
– Submersion flooding occurs when floodwaters cover an entire area and create an environment where objects cannot be reached. This type of flooding can cause destruction to buildings, roads and other infrastructure.
The best way to determine if you are experiencing flooding is to check the following:
– Look for rising water levels in streams, rivers and other waterways. If you see water levels rising rapidly and exceeding the banks or levees that normally would contain it, this is a sign of flash flooding.
– Listen for loud noises coming from beneath the ground, like rotating blades or rushing water. This could indicate moderate flooding.
– Check telephone, utility and other communication poles for damage – Floodwaters can sweep away wires and knock down poles, disrupting electrical service.\
What to do if you’ve been involved with a flood
If you’ve been involved in a flood, there are a few things you need to know. Here are some of the basics:
- If you’re able, evacuate your home. If you can’t evacuate, protect yourself and stay away from the water.
- If you have to go back into your home, check for signs of flooding and then seal any open spaces in the ceiling, walls, and floors with “caulk or other waterproof sealant” to prevent sewage from leaking in.
- Clear any debris from around your home so emergency responders can get in and start rescuing people if necessary.
- Turn off all the utilities at the main breaker box and call your utility company to report the outage.
- Watch for news updates about what’s happening with the flood and follow their advice about staying safe and getting help if needed.