Experiencing a flood in your home is unsettling and stressful. Whether it’s a sudden flash flood or prolonged house flooding, the first few hours after water recedes are crucial to reduce damage and begin restoring your property. If you’ve found yourself dealing with a flooded house or a flood destroyed house, here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to follow right away.
Before you even step into a house in a flood, safety is the number one priority. Floodwaters can cause unseen hazards like weakened structures, contaminated water, and electrical dangers. Check these before entering or starting any cleanup:
If you suspect any risk, wait for professionals to assess the situation. Entering too soon can put you in harm’s way, so don’t rush it.
Once it’s safe, start extracting as much water as possible from your house flood. The longer water sits, the worse the damage becomes, and the more likely mould will start to develop. Use mops, buckets, or wet-dry vacuums for smaller floods. For major flooding, a specialist pump might be necessary to remove water efficiently.
Drying out your property is critical. Mould can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours, posing health risks and causing further damage to building materials. Here’s how to fast-track drying:
Be patient — depending on the extent of the flooding and local climate, drying could take from a day up to several weeks.
Floodwaters carry contaminants, so it’s vital to separate what can be saved from what must be discarded. Remove wet furniture, fabrics, and possessions from the flooded house to dry and clean them thoroughly. Discard anything soaked beyond recovery to avoid mould and odour problems.
Check areas like cupboards, under baths, and wall insulation, as these often trap moisture that slows drying and encourages mould growth.
After drying, clean every surface that came into contact with floodwaters to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and mould spores. Use a disinfecting solution on floors, walls, benches, and tiles. Let the solution sit wet on surfaces for at least two minutes before rinsing and drying to ensure proper sanitisation.
If you have carpets in a flood destroyed house, assess whether they can be saved:
For timber floors, damage is common as water seeps in. Often, floors must be removed, dried, then reinstalled and sanded to restore their look.
After the initial clean-up, keep an eye on your home’s structural integrity. Cracks in walls, sinking floors, or persistent damp patches may indicate ongoing problems. Early detection helps avoid costly repairs down the track.
While cleaning and drying, take photos and notes of all damage caused by the flood in your house. This documentation is essential when filing insurance claims, so be thorough.
Mould is one of the biggest threats after a flood in a house. It can develop rapidly and cause respiratory issues or allergic reactions. To minimise mould growth:
House flooding and flood destroyed houses often require more than DIY efforts. Professional flood services offer water extraction, drying equipment, and specialist cleaning to restore your home properly. Don’t hesitate to engage experts for:
Flood damage doesn’t wait, and neither should you. The immediate actions you take after a flood in your house can greatly reduce the extent of the damage and speed up recovery. Prioritise safety, remove water quickly, dry out your home thoroughly, and clean with disinfectants. Always document damage and reach out to professional flood services if needed.
A flood in your home can be incredibly stressful, but with the right steps, recovery is possible. If you’re unsure where to start, we offer complete water damage restoration to help get your home and peace of mind back on track.
Helpful Resources for Flood Recovery in NSW
