What to Do After a Flood in Dothan, Alabama

What to Do When Your Property is Flooded

• Check your flood insurance coverage and call your insurance provider before assessing the damage.
• Ensure your safety by checking if your home is structurally secure, if your power is still on, if there are gas leaks present and if the floodwater is contaminated. 
• Contact an authorized inspector to check the stability of your home. If you are concerned about the structure collapsing, do not enter your home. 
• Prevent the risk of electrical shock by avoiding stepping in standing water, as it may already be charged by a lethal amount of electrical current, especially if there are compromised electrical systems and your outlets have been submerged by the flood.
• Gas and propane leaks are dangerous, so call the utility company if you suspect one.
• Floodwaters, especially from natural disasters, are highly likely to contain sewage, chemicals and other contaminants. Call a professional flood damage restoration company to inspect the affected area, create a restoration plan and start the cleanup right away. 

• A flooding event increases humidity and moisture, which can damage even those items which have not been in direct contact with water. 
• After it has been declared safe to return to your home, immediately remove items within your reach to prevent further damage and to increase the chance of them being salvaged.
• Be careful when removing electronics, as they may cause an electric shock if plugged in or powered up.
• Dry all recovered items and store them in a dry and secure area. 

• Rent a wet vacuum or submersible pump when attempting to remove water on your own. However, water extraction is still best done by flood damage restoration specialists who have proper equipment and experience. 
• Lower humidity levels to prevent mold growth while drying furnishings.
• Increase ventilation and accelerate the drying process by opening windows and doors as well as running dehumidifiers and fans.

• Clean and sanitize dried-out surfaces such as carpets, drywall and wood beams to avoid mold growth, diseases and infections.
• Different items need different techniques for them to be cleaned thoroughly, so it would be better to contact a restoration specialist to prevent further damage and to know which items need to be repaired or replaced. 

• Document the damage through photos or videos and keep any receipts or estimates for repairs or restoration for insurance purposes.

Contact ServiceMaster by Reed for Flood Damage Cleanup

•  Dothan
• Abbeville
• Eufaula
• Ozark
• Daleville
• Enterprise
• Andalusia
• Fort Rucker
• Headland
• Troy
• Opp
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• Elba
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