House Flooded? The Homeowner’s 9-Step Action Plan
- conor2585
- Nov 15
- 2 min read
1. Ensure safety first
Turn off electricity in affected areas if safe to do so.
Don’t step into standing water if electrical outlets or appliances are submerged.
2. Document everything for insurance
Take photos and videos of all affected rooms, furniture, walls, and items before touching anything.
Note visible damage, including waterlines and soaked materials.
3. Remove standing water
Use a wet/dry shop vac, squeegee, or towels to get rid of the remaining water.
The faster you remove it, the less chance of mold.
4. Remove damaged items
Take out rugs, furniture, boxes, and anything wet to a dry, ventilated area.
Separate salvageable items from things too water-damaged to keep.
5. Start drying the space
Open windows and doors.
Use fans, dehumidifiers, and heaters if available.
Aim for continuous airflow for 24–72 hours.
6. Pull up materials that won’t dry
If water soaked into carpets, underlay, baseboards, or laminate flooring, they may need to be removed.
Wall plaster that got wet more than an inch or two up usually needs cutting out.
7. Clean and disinfect
Wash floors and surfaces with a disinfecting solution to kill bacteria.
Cleaning is essential even with “clean” floodwater from a leak, because it can still grow mold.
8. Contact your insurance company
Report the damage as soon as possible.
Insurers will send out their Loss Adjuster to investigate the loss.
9. Hire Your Own Independent Loss Assessor
Insurance companies send their own loss adjusters to evaluate the damage, but you’re allowed to appoint an independent loss assessor to act solely on your behalf. A loss assessor can help you:
Accurately document all damage as they have experience dealing with flood claims
Prepare and manage your insurance claim
Negotiate your best possible settlement
Reduce stress and speed up the process
Bedford Loss Assessors have years of experience handling flood-related insurance claims and understand exactly what's involved in getting your home dried out and reinstated. Their expertise can help you avoid mistakes, speed up the claims process, and ensure you receive the full settlement you’re entitled to.
Please call us to discuss any flood issues.
Conor Bedford
B.Eng, CIP
m: 086-4561679
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