Tips for Responding to a Flood | SERVPRO of Orland Park

5/21/2024 (Permalink)

If your home has been hit by an unexpected flash flood, SERVPRO of Orland Park is here to help. Call us today!

Flooding situations can develop in seconds, leaving you with very little time to react and save your possessions from damage. They can occur when a strong storm brings heavy rain to the community, or they can occur from something unsuspecting like a busted water line that gushes everywhere. 

Now matter how it happens, a lot of water can flow into your home in a short amount of time. This is why preparations should happen now before the situation even develops!  Being prepared now can help you mitigate damage and stay in control when a true flood emergency begins. 

What to Do About a Flash Flood  

Flash flood warnings can be issued alongside any strong storm that has the potential to overwhelm our area with rain. Warnings can even be issued before it starts raining if the forecast is solid enough. 

In order to be prepared for flash flooding conditions, you need to keep your property neat and tidy. Keep clutter to a minimum, and trim trees and branches regularly to reduce the hazards around your home.

You should also have your emergency kit prepped and ready to go. Include whatever your family would need to stay safe and comfortable, and be sure to pack extra drinking water, as floods can sometimes compromise the city water supply temporarily. 

If the water does start flowing into your home or pouring into your basement, stay calm and stay above the water line. Eventually the rain will stop and the water will stop rushing in. 

Manmade Flood Conditions 

These types of situations are harder to predict, as no one ever assumes that a water line or an old appliance will malfunction or break and lead to serious water issues in your home. 

Check these spaces as often as you can for signs of wear and tear or for any new drips or puddles. Addressing preventive maintenance can reduce your risk for a manmade flood. 

However, if the unexpected happens and you are left with a basement full of water or water is now raining down from your ceiling, locate the appropriate water valve and shut off the flow of water as quickly as you can. 

If you aren’t 100% sure that the water that is now all over your floor is safe to handle, avoid walking through it or touching it. Gray water and even black water is flowing through your home as well, and this type of water is dangerous to handle. Stay out of the area, and call us instead. 

Drying Up the Excess Water  

No matter how it happens, floodwater should be addressed quickly. The longer it sits in your home, the more dangerous it can become and more damage could occur as a result of the lingering moisture. Structural integrity issues could make your home dangerous to reside in or a mold infestation could take hold and impact your air quality.

We will get right to work removing the excess water and we will dry out your entire space with our air movers and blowers. Once dry, we will be able to quickly tackle repairs. 

Floods can soak carpets and upholstery, but they can also ruin floorboards, walls and ceilings. Our team is trained to handle your entire restoration from start to finish, so let us help you recover right away if you suffer a flood at home.