Have you been flooded recently? Flooding can cause serious damage to your foundation, and it's important to deal with the aftermath as soon as possible to minimize your risk of future problems. Use these tips to repair your home after flooding and ensure your home's safety and stability long-term.
Are Foundations Waterproof?
After a flood, many homes are damaged by the water. If your foundation was affected, call on a professional to help you with repairs or restoration. While foundations often seem waterproof on their own, flooding can cause substantial damage. In some cases, professional foundation repair is required to prevent further damage and to ensure your home’s safety in future floods.
Seek Immediate Professional Help
After a flood, it's important to seek help immediately. Flooding can cause serious damage if your home is affected. Call your insurance company and contractor immediately, then contact friends or family who live outside of flood zones to ask for temporary shelter.
Decide If Major Repairs Are Needed or If Rebuilding is Better
If there is severe damage and your foundation needs major repairs, a contractor will need to examine your home and determine if it needs to be completely rebuilt. If it has flooded more than once, you may have a harder time selling your home in a seller’s market, so you may want to consider rebuilding instead of repairing it. In any case, contact a local foundation company with experience in these matters before proceeding.
Remove All Water From the Property
An important first step after a flood is to remove all standing water. When you do that, you prevent mold and mildew from growing. If there’s any standing water on your property, mop it up with sponges or towels. Be careful not to use your bare hands as bacteria can become trapped under your fingernails. For any areas where there is still standing water on surfaces like wood floors or countertops, carefully pour buckets of clean water over those spots until they are completely dry.
Determine What is Wasting Away
The next step after a flood is to figure out what is damaged beyond repair. After a flood, go through each room of your home and mark items that are damaged or that you can't use anymore. These items should be discarded or repaired if possible to avoid having unnecessary clutter in your home after repairs have been made.
Flooding can wreak havoc on your home, damaging everything from your walls to your basement to the foundation of your house itself. Use this guide to fix your home's foundation after flooding.
About the Author
Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she's used to putting things to a vote. She recommends Atlas Master Co when it comes to foundation repair.
