When we visualise a house being flooded, we often see it as a scenario caused by a typhoon. But what many people don’t know is that a flooded house is usually caused by a major problem in a plumbing system? Regardless of the reason, you need to act fast if this happens to your own residence in Sydney.
There are different plumbing system problems which can lead to house flooding – from a leaking faucet and a washing machine which has gotten loose to a clogged sewer system around the area. Especially during the winter season, burst pipes are also common and this can also result in a flood. So, what should you do when you have a pipe problem and your own home is experiencing a flood?
Turn Off the Main Water Line Immediately
The most important goal is to stop the flooding and prevent the water from getting higher. You can either turn the valve that’s behind the plumbing fixture that’s been damaged, or, you can shut off the main water valve.
In case you don’t know where the main valve is located, try checking the basement. Other locations include near the water heater, in the garage or perhaps within the crawlspace. There are also households where the main water line is buried beneath the underground box. If you really can’t find it on your own, the last resort would be to contact a licensed plumber to do it for you, but you have to act fast.
Turn Off the Electricity
Flooding can also endanger you and your family due to risk of electrocution. To avoid this incident, you need to find the main breaker panel in your house. Next, flip the circuit breakers to turn off the power provided to the flooded rooms. Just in case the floor in front of the breaker panel is wet, find a dry wood plank and stand on it before you even touch the breakers.
Protect Your Furniture
Once you guarantee that you and your family are no longer in danger, it’s time to protect your home’s belongings. You wouldn’t want your precious furniture to get damaged by the flood, would you? Therefore, move your furniture and other items to a dry spot. If there are items which are very hard for you to move, you can protect these by placing layers of aluminium foil below the legs. This will protect your floor from getting stained by the furniture’s colour.
Start the Clean-up Process
While it’s very important to let a plumbing professional do all the hard work, it’s also recommended to do things on your own while waiting for the plumber to arrive as mould can start forming in 24 to 48 hours. You can do this by starting the drying process as soon as possible. This can be done in various methods such as – removing excess water from the floor, opening the windows to allow air to dry the flooded areas, and turning on exhaust fans.
However, avoid cleaning up raw sewage on your own as this is a serious health hazard. Contact a certified blocked sewer Sydney plumber to fix the problem.
Document Everything Especially the Damage
Especially if your house is insured, you need to document everything to make sure you’ll receive compensation from the insurance company. Documentation can include having a list of all damaged items and the year these items have been purchased as well as the original value. You can also take photos of damaged items to have evidence when claiming your insurance benefits.
