How to tend to your home after a flood.

One of the most damaging and devastating things you can ever experience as a homeowner is a flood. The damage caused can be extensive and incredibly upsetting. Household floods can be caused by heavy rainstorms, sewer back-up, a malfunctioning sump-pump, burst pipes, and more. Since we're entering the season where heavy rain is a huge possibility, be sure you know what to do if your house floods. Safety first. The first step in any major home disaster is to stay safe. If flooding is significant, you may be forced to leave your home. If this is the case, make sure you remain safe when you return to the property. It's a good idea to turn off the power, since water and electricity do not mix. You should also wear protective clothing so you are not exposed to harmful bacteria in the water. Record the damage. Before you make any changes and start to tidy up, take pictures of the damage. Recording it through photos and videos helps you to file a claim if you have flood coverage. Remove the water. Depending on the level of flooding, the process of removing water may change. In general, you want to remove as much water as you can by using buckets and bins. As the water begins to recede, use a wet vacuum to suck up remaining water and moisture from carpets and floors. Dry your home out. Everything will remain damp and wet, and you don't want mold to set in, so work quickly to dry your home out. Dehumidifiers are a big help, provided your power is back up and running and safe to use. Call your insurance company. Many insurance companies cover flooding due to storms, burst pipes, broken sump-pumps, and backed-up city sewers. For everything else, you will need flood insurance to have any form of protection in place. Call your insurer and inquire about your coverage. If you do have the right insurance in place, your insurer will advise you in the next steps to file a claim. The insurance company will send out an adjustor to assess the damage, which is why taking footage of your property's damage is all the more helpful. We hope these tips help you to react to flood damage. To find the best home insurance policy to fit your needs, contact Bell Black Insurance today!  We serve all insurance needs for those in Idaho Falls, Island Park, Driggs, Victor, Swan Valley, Ashton, and the neighboring communities in Idaho, as well as Jackson and Star Valley in Wyoming.