A Flood Happened, What’s Next?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), reports that the most common natural disaster in America is flooding. The Tehachapi area is no stranger to flooding. In Fact, there have been several major flood events in Kern County over the past few decades. As a homeowner, it is critical that you take
measures to protect our homes and families during these destructive events. But what happens when the damage has already been done?

Flood Damage

At Alert Disaster, we have dealt with hundreds, if not thousands of water damage events due to flooding.
Typically, a flood damage disaster is going to cause structural damage to your home. Within minutes
flood water can overrun your home saturating everything in its path. Any surfaces made of wood that
become saturated in water may become soft and start to break down, weakening the structural integrity of
your home. Floor joists may start to weaken and warp, while walls will soak up the water and potentially
causing issues with the insulation, electrical outlets may become compromised.

The Clock is Ticking

Not only can flood waters cause significant damage to your home, it can promote mold growth. Water
damaged interiors provide a good environment for the growth of mold and bacteria. Molds are parasitic
in that they thrive on dead or decaying organic matter. One of the favorite foods for mold is the paper on
drywall this coupled with warm air and moisture. It takes as little as 24 to 48 hours for mold to colonize
and grow, spreading on air currents when disturbed. That is why it is so important for homeowners to
contact a professional team of flood damage cleanup professionals, like Alert Disaster in Tehachapi, to
quickly dry out and clean up any flood water that may damage your home.

Hiring a Professional

So, why exactly should you contact a professional flood damage restoration company instead of dealing
with the damage yourself? Not only can the damage to your home be extensive, flood water can contain
contagions that are harmful to you and your family’s health. Professional restoration companies have the
expertise and are properly equipped to handle most flood damage events safely and efficiently.

Cleanup Process

Step 1: Emergency Contact – Professionals respond to your water emergency quickly and efficiently. This
initial contact is an important part of a fast, effective cleanup and restoration.

Step 2: Damage Assessment – Your team will carefully inspect your property’s water damage, determining
the type of water damage and the areas affected. This is a crucial step to creating an effective cleanup
plan that will result in a successful restoration.

Step 3: Water Removal/Extraction – Typically, hundreds or thousands of gallons of water are removed
using powerful pumps and vacuums during the water removal process.

Step 4: Dehumidifying and Drying – Once the bulk of the water has been safely removed specialized
equipment will be used to find the hard to see water in hidden spaces.

Step 5: Cleaning and Sanitizing – Water damage can affect your belongings, like furniture, clothing, and
precious mementos. Professionals can clean restorable items using a number of specialized cleaning
techniques. They will also sanitize with antimicrobial treatments and remove odors using industrial
equipment.