What to Do When Faced with a Flood Disaster
There’s not a cloud in the sky, yet you’ve come home to a flood disaster! What do you do when faced with water cascading down stairs, reminiscent of Niagara Falls, or carpets submerged in an inside sea? Burst pipe malfunctions from washing machines, hot water systems, and dishwashers are the commonest cause for emergency flood call-outs that Elite Maintenance professionals receive. Then there’s the tap dripping into a bath with the plug in place, creating overflow.
After experiencing the initial shock, it’s crucial to know the steps to take. We consulted veteran carpet cleaner Phil Gunns, one of the calmest professionals in the business, for essential guidance.
First Steps to Take
Phil emphasizes that there are four critical phone calls you must make before reaching out to friends or family:
- Your insurance company
- Plumber
- Electrician
- Elite Maintenance – 131580
If your home is a rental, you need to immediately contact your leasing agent, who will have a preferred plumber and electrician. The plumber will turn off the water supply. The flood may have caused your electrical systems to short-circuit, or there could be live wires in the water; ensuring the scene is safe for everyone is paramount.
Gaining Perspective
Phil Gunns advises that it’s important for shocked clients to gain perspective and realize that, without loss of life, everything is replaceable. Taking photos of the water damage before any work starts is essential for documentation and will aid in your insurance claim.
Safety Precautions
Organize alternative accommodation for at least a couple of days. This precaution is vital depending on the extent of your flooding, primarily due to the risk of mould and mildew spores that can cause health issues.
How Elite Maintenance Rescues Flood-Damaged Carpets
A carpet cleaning professional like Phil Gunns conducts a thorough assessment first: determining where the water has spread and what has been damaged. In a recent incident, 600 litres of water were extracted from a top-floor apartment flood, which also affected five other residences below.
Potential areas for water damage include:
- The bottom of doors
- Skirting boards
- Between walls
- Under floating floors
- Inside cabinetry
Once assessed, and with an all-clear from the electrician, your Elite Maintenance technician will bring in specialized equipment: extraction hoses to remove as much water as possible, followed by high-capacity blowers and dehumidifiers to evaporate and dry out remaining moisture. During both phases, antibacterial treatments will be applied to carpets to minimize the risk of mould and mildew growth.
Professionals will also check under carpet corners for evidence of prior mould or mildew presence. Depending on the scale of the flood, carpet recovery—which includes sanitization and deodorizing—may take hours or days. Action taken within hours of the incident may enable carpets to be salvaged. However, if left for more than two days, it may be necessary to remove and discard the carpet due to excessive damage and health risks.
If your situation involves a smaller scale flood—such as a bath overflow contained to the bathroom and a small part of a carpeted hall—this can be addressed relatively quickly through a method known as ‘top-down drying’.
While Elite Maintenance hopes you’re never faced with an appliance-related flood, you now know what to do and who to call: 131580. Our team is ready to provide professional, compliant, and efficient restoration services, adhering to IICRC standards to ensure the highest quality of care for your property.