Quick Response to Flooding Helps to Lessen the Loss

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

Florida gets intense weather throughout the year, including flash floods, more lightning strikes than anywhere else in the United States, and occasionally, hurricanes and tropical storms. In particular, the storm surge that accompanies hurricanes can lead to copious amounts of water hitting your Palm Harbor property. There are some steps homeowners can take to minimize the potential loss, such as:

    •    Landscape your property to direct water away from the home
    •    Ensure weather stripping and seals are intact on doors and windows
    •    Trim tree limbs near the roof and windows so high winds do not cause damage
    •    Clean debris from gutters and ensure they do not drain near the home, add extensions if needed

What is the First Thing I Should Do When My Home has Flood Damage?

If you do not already have a plan for handling flood damage in your Palm Harbor home, make one. A good solid idea includes things like:
    •    Locations of valuable items and important papers
    •    The number for SERVPRO to begin cleanup for you
    •    Account and phone numbers for your utilities so you can halt service if necessary
    •    Your banking and credit card information
    •    Personal information for each family member including copies of prescriptions and doctor phone numbers
    •    A plan for what to do with your pets during cleanup in case it happens where you are staying does not allow pets
    •    Items family members need for day-to-day activities

It is crucial to begin the restoration process as soon as possible because even one day can make a difference in whether or not something has restoration potential.

How Does the Flood Damage Cleanup Work?

SERVPRO techs have years of experience and certification for the handling of floodwater, which carries a rating as a class three biohazard because of the frequency in which the water contains harmful elements such as debris, chemicals, and sewage. The techs test the water, so they know what they are dealing with and apply the appropriate cleaning agents to lessen the risk when handling the water.


A structure with damage from flooding generally undergoes a dramatic transformation when the areas that got affected are widespread. It is not uncommon for the flooring to require removal down to the subfloor or slab. This is an important step, however, because when seepage occurs, the structure needs drying from the bottom up to eliminate the potential for secondary issues such as mold or foul odors to compound the mitigation efforts.

Along with flooring, walls also bear the brunt of the loss. Once the water is inside the home, it migrates rapidly and runs up against baseboards, under cabinets, and any spaces it can find. When it encounters sheetrock, the building materials readily wick the water and continue absorbing it until SERVPRO techs halt the process through the use of flood cuts. This removes the ruined sheetrock and leaves undamaged walls in place. This action also opens up the interior of the wall around the framework for complete drying. When insulation gets ruined with floodwater, the techs have specialized vacuums to collect it for disposal. At this time, the vapor barrier also gets inspected to determine if it requires replacement.

When SERVPRO techs dry the structure, they monitor the process carefully to ensure that pre-set drying goals get attained. The property receives a second scoping post-drying to ensure no areas of moisture remain on-site. Then the cleaning of the property and any application of mold preventatives takes place.

Once the efforts are complete, the techs walk the homeowner through the property and go over the actions taken and the repairs or reconstruction needed to bring the home to its original state. This information is also compiled into a report to assist with filing any insurance claims.

SERVPRO of Dunedin / Palm Harbor South at (727) 793-1333 for any size flood damage to your home. The technicians are available 24/7, arrive quickly on-site, and make the water loss in your home, “Like it never even happened.”