What Should You Know About Entering Your Nashville Home After A Flood?

11/28/2021 (Permalink)

When returning to your Hermitage/Donelson home after it’s been flooded, you need to be aware that your house may be contaminated with mold or sewage. Taking precautions before you check out the damage will keep you safe. Don’t forget that you can engage the services of a professional restoration company like SERVPRO to help you here. 

What Are Some Steps You Should Do First When Going Into Your Hermitage/Donelson Home After Flooding? 

Any assessment should be done during daylight hours if at all possible. If you must go in while it’s dark, make sure any lighting you carry does not need to be plugged in. 

• The main power needs to be turned off first. If you must enter standing water to access the main power switch, call an electrician to turn it off. Never turn the power on or off or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water. An electrician needs to check the house’s electrical system before turning the power on again.
• If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave your house immediately. Notify the gas company or the police or fire departments, or State Fire Marshal’s office. Turning on the lights could cause a spark. Stay away until you know it is safe to return.
• If your home has been flooded and closed up for several days, assume your home has mold. Your home also may be contaminated with sewage after a flooding event.

What Are Some Ways You Can Prevent Unsafe Conditions In Your Home After A Flood?

• Throw away food that may have come in contact with floodwater, perishable foods that have not been refrigerated properly due to power outages, and any foodstuffs with an unusual odor, color, or texture. Unsafe food can make you sick even if it looks, smells, and tastes normal. When in doubt, throw it out. 

• Do not use water you suspect is contaminated to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula. Safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene will be bottled, boiled, or treated.

• If flood or stormwater has entered your home, dry it out as soon as possible to prevent a mold colony from getting started. Follow these steps:
• If you have electricity and an electrician has determined that it’s safe to turn it on, use a “wet-dry” shop vacuum, an electric-powered water transfer pump, or a sump pump to remove the standing water. If you are operating equipment in wet areas, be sure to wear rubber boots.
• If weather permits, open windows and doors of the house to aid in the drying-out process.
• Use fans and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture. Place fans at a window or door to blow the air outwards rather than inward, so mold spores are not spread inside.

When the worst happens, SERVPRO of Hermitage/Donelson is here to help. We are highly trained and well equipped to handle water damage, mold remediation, odor removal, and much more. 

We can get your home or business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, too. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.