Floods: Prevention, Recovery, and Reconstruction

The National Weather Service provides the following definition of a flood: “An overflow of water onto normally dry land.” This excess water can cause immense destruction, partially or fully leveling entire properties, submerging entire rooms or floors, and threatening health and safety.

After the flood recedes, you may be left with cleanup duties. Oftentimes, mold and other hazards appear, drawn to the excessive moisture and humidity present (particularly if a flood strikes during warmer months). But how does the process of reconstruction work after a flood? And what can you do to try minimizing flood damage (or prevent it as much as possible) in the first place? SERVPRO^® is Here to Help^® with this and more.

Flood vs. Flash Flood

Before diving into prevention measures and how reconstruction works after a flood, let’s dig a little deeper into the differences between the two main types of floods in the first place: a general flood, and a flash flood.

As it turns out, there is a distinct difference between them. While both can cause destruction and shouldn’t be taken lightly, the National Weather Service outlines the differences between them by providing the following information:

As noted earlier, a flood occurs when water overflows onto land that is normally dry. This water typically arises from rivers, drainage ditches, streams, or other existing waterways. Unlike a flash flood, the water may be present for days or weeks, and when rain falls during a flood, the water might “pond.”

Conversely, a flash flood is caused by extensive and heavy rainfall that comes on suddenly and occurs in a short window (usually less than six hours). While flash floods are often caused by rain itself, they can also occur if a dam or levee breaks. They are characterized by fast-moving, heavy torrents of water that sweep everything in their path.

Flood Prevention Steps

Floods of any kind are incredibly dangerous. So, how can you prepare for them? The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources outlines ways you can prepare for floods:

• Consider Buying Flood Insurance. For more information, these resources may help: “Do I need flood insurance?” and “FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.”
• Follow Health and Safety Advice. This might include creating a disaster recovery kit, developing an evacuation route, and taking note of hazards around your property. For more information, the CDC offers an extensive resource on flood preparedness.
• Develop Emergency Plans. SERVPRO offers an Emergency Ready Plan that can help.

Lastly, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources covers overall ways to flood-proof your property and structures:

• To avoid seepage in a basement (if you have one), seal basement walls with waterproofing compounds.
• Back up computer files or other important digital documents and take them to an offsite location.
• Elevate appliances such as your water heater, air conditioner, and/or furnace.
• Remove important documents and/or papers from your basement (if you have one).
• Build interior barriers to help prevent low level floodwater from seeping into your basement (if you have one).
• Install check valves in sewer traps, which can help prevent floodwater from backing up.

For more information, they offer a guide for flood-proofing. It is also important to know the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning. Review our companion article for more.

Flood Recovery Steps

While SERVPRO can handle cleanup and construction, the Los Angeles Fire Department and Associa outline a variety of steps you can take in the aftermath of flood damage, including minor tasks you may be able to take care of on your own:

• Seek medical attention immediately, if needed.
• Consider hiring a structural engineer or building inspector to assess the state of your property before you enter.
• Consider obtaining an air test to help ensure its quality.
• Restore utilities. (If needed, hire certified utilities workers who can inspect and safely restore these services, especially if they have suffered storm or water damage).
• Verify financial assistance, if needed.
• Stay organized (document and photograph where needed).
• Prepare for the next flood. As noted earlier, this might mean preparing evacuation routes, or developing emergency plans/kits.

SERVPRO’s Reconstruction Services

Whether you experience a flood due to a hurricane, or other type of natural disaster, such as a blizzard, wildfire, or tornado, SERVPRO offers full-scale construction services to help you rebuild after cleanup and restoration take place. Offering both residential construction and commercial construction, SERVPRO’s construction process is implemented in three overall phases: pre-construction, construction, and post-construction.

Depending on your situation, rebuilding after flood damage may specifically involve drywall removal, floor replacement, and insulation removal, before construction with fresh materials can commence. Drywall and insulation removal may be especially important after a flood because of the potential for mold and mildew development, given the excessive moisture present.

Tailored to your unique needs and situation, for any size flood damage—whether contained to a single room, an entire floor in your home, or in a multi-million square foot commercial facility—SERVPRO professional technicians are prepared to implement the following process, once water extraction and drying take place:

During the pre-construction phase, SERVPRO professionals will follow six steps:

• Approvals.
• Estimates and finalizing the estimate.
• Deposits and progress payments.
• Mortgage company contact (if applicable).
• Material selections and changes.
• Signing the construction work authorization document.

During the construction phase, there are also six steps:

• Scheduling tradesmen.
• Weekly communication.
• Inspecting work-in-progress.
• Supplements.
• Change orders.
• Progress payments.

Lastly, the post-construction phase includes three steps:

• Construction standards.
• Certificate of completion.
• Final payment.

For Reconstruction Services After a Flood, Call SERVPRO

SERVPRO’s services include both residential and commercial construction, ready after a flood, fire, severe storm, burst pipe, or more. A primary benefit of working with SERVPRO is the ease of using one company to complete your cleanup, restoration, and reconstruction job from beginning to end. When a flood strikes, let us handle everything from initial cleanup and restoration to reconstruction, helping fully return your property to pre-loss condition, “Like it never even happened.”

With 2260 SERVPRO locations in the United States and Canada, there is a SERVPRO near you, staffed with IICRC certified technicians prepared to help return your property to pre-loss condition. Established in 1967, SERVPRO is the #1 choice in fire and water cleanup and restoration* for a reason. Over the years, we have developed a wide range of techniques to help ensure your home or business is properly restored, using a variety of products, tools, equipment, and knowledge.

Our website offers further information about SERVPRO and the cleanup and restoration industry. To learn more, please visit our FAQ, Glossary, our library of restoration resources, and more.