First 24 Hours After a House Flood: Steps That Can Prevent Major Damage

When your home is flooded, there’s no time to waste. Knowing what to do during this situation can make a huge difference in the overall flood restoration timeline and your ability to return to normalcy. In fact, acting quickly in the first 24 hours after a house flood can determine whether you’re left with manageable cleanup tasks or a major restoration project.

At Summit Restoration & Construction, we strive to help homeowners in our community take the right flood damage prevention steps. Here’s a closer look at what to do in the first 24 hours after flooding.

0-2 Hours: Safety First

When the countdown to 24 hours starts, the first increment of time should focus on ensuring safety and stabilizing the situation. As floodwater can compromise flooring and hide contaminants and electrical hazards, it’s important to make sure key safety measures are implemented as part of your emergency water damage response.

Begin by shutting off electricity if the breaker box is in a dry area and can be easily accessed. This is particularly important if flooding could make contact with outlets or electrical appliances.

Next, if you are dealing with flooding due to a burst pipe, turn off the main supply of water to your home. If stormwater is the culprit, keep moisture at bay by laying down towels or tarps.

Once these stabilization measures have been taken, reach out to a professional restoration company such as Summit Restoration & Construction. As you wait for professionals to arrive, document the damage for your insurance company by taking photos and video.

2-6 Hours: Initial Mitigation Measures        

After the most immediate danger is out of the way, it’s time to prevent further damage from taking place. In the case of flooding, this means getting rid of standing water, boosting ventilation, and moving your possessions to a dry, safe area.

Our local team works with heavy-duty extraction equipment that quickly reduces standing water. We also have professional drying tools and ventilation techniques to decrease the possibility of mold growth and insidious moisture intrusion into vulnerable structural elements.

We will help you begin assessing your belongings according to which items need to be discarded or restored. We also offer in-house storage so that you can move your things to a safe space as quickly as possible.

It’s key to get started with professional support right away, preferably during this window of time, since moisture can quickly seep into drywall and structural framing. Any delays at this stage will increase the likelihood of mold growth and structural damage.

6-24 Hours: In-Depth Assessment & Preparations for Restoration

Towards the end of the first day following flooding, you’ll want to rely on a professional team equipped with specialized technology such as infrared cameras and moisture sensors. These tools can be used to identify areas of dampness that aren’t visible, such as behind drywall, under floors, and inside insulation materials. These are frequently the sources of future mold outbreaks, which is why they shouldn’t be overlooked, even at the earliest stages of restoration.

From there, the professional water damage specialists can begin laying out a restoration plan that will cover any repairs necessary to your property, including the removal and replacement of affected materials, to get it back to its original condition.

Reach Out to Us Within the First 24 Hours After a House Flood

As our team at Summit Restoration & Construction is available on a 24/7 basis, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us right away if you’re dealing with water intrusion. By contacting us within the first 24 hours after a house flood, you can ensure you’re following the proper flooded house first-day checklist and taking all the right measures to avoid mold growth and structural issues down the line.