Flood Damage in Seattle

If you live in Seattle, you know that the area is prone to flooding. The city is vulnerable to three distinctive flood hazards: riverine, coastal, and urban. Our area’s residents are more than aware of the devastating impact a flood damage in Seattle can have on their homes and their lives. However, taking several steps can minimize the impact.

Preparing for a Flood

In an area prone to flooding, one of the most important things that can be done in advance is to prepare an emergency kit and make solid plans around where the family will meet if separated. Often it is not feasible, but it is worth giving some thought to constructing barriers to prevent the water from entering the house and using waterproofing compounds to seal the basement walls.

What to do in a Flood

If a flood is imminent, several things can minimize its impact.

Firstly, bring any outdoor furniture or equipment indoors, move valuables to the second floor to minimize the likelihood of damage, and take steps to secure the home.

All electrical equipment should be off and unplugged. We definitely do not recommend standing in water with any electric items still plugged in.

The Importance of Acting Quickly

If your property has flood damage, it is essential that you act quickly to minimize the long-term impacts of the flood. This process is known as water mitigation. It is important to check insurance policies to see what rights you have regarding coverage.

The first step in restoring your property is assessing the issue and then getting rid of all the unwanted water. This is usually done by professionals with access to powerful vacuums. Once the water is removed, the damage, to a large degree, is limited. One potential issue relates to the smell that comes with a wet property. To alleviate this, we use large industrial fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers.

Drying the property quickly also reduces the likelihood of a mold problem developing.

Water mitigation is a time intensive process. While most professionals aim to complete the process within a week, this is not always possible. Both the amount and extent of water will dictate the process. All efforts focus primarily on removing the water. Once the property has dried, there is more time to fully assess the damage, paying particular attention to any structural damage. We can then plan how to complete the flood restoration process.

Hiring An Expert

Homeowners will need to assess whether the damage is sufficient to file a claim on their flood insurance.

While the process of removing the water and drying the place out may seem relatively simple, the reality is it requires special equipment and knowledge. This means hiring an expert is usually the best option. They have the tools and experience to resolve the water damage issue relatively quickly, while the flood restoration aspect is less stressful when there our professionals are guiding the process.

If you have flood damage in Seattle, don’t delay – contact us today!