As Hurricane Irma ripped through the state of Florida, the storm left widespread flooding and damage in its wake. With so much destruction, it can be challenging to quickly get professional help cleaning up your property. Here are some tips to get your property recovery effort started.

Safety First

When cleaning up a flooded area, your safety should be your primary concern. Taking a few of these precautions can help:

Disconnect the power to the area; water and electricity don’t mix
Wear protective clothing: Gloves, long sleeves, pants, and work boots provide a layer of protection
Move electronics, furniture and any other obstacles out of your way

Mop up the Water

You need to clear as much of the standing water out of the flooded area as quickly as possible. Using tools such as mops, brooms, buckets, and old towels can help. For larger areas consider renting a wet/dry vacuum or a sump pump.

Dry Out the Area

Opening windows and doors near the wet area can help. Use fans and dehumidifiers to circulate the air in the area. Keeping the air moving aids the drying process.

Dispose of Contaminated Items Responsibly

It is very likely that water seeped through your walls and flooring. Affected drywall needs to be cut away, and most trim and flooring will need to be pulled up. Insulation and padding under carpets all need to be removed too.

Disinfect Water Damaged Areas

Hot, humid, and damp conditions are the perfect breeding ground for mold. Use professional grade disinfectants to treat water damaged areas. Since mold growth can be very dangerous to your health it is often advised to hire a water damage remediation company to inspect and treat the area. This holds especially true in situations where sewage water could be a factor.

Rebuild, Repair, and Replace

Once the areas have been completely dried out and treated, it is time to begin rebuilding. If filing an insurance claim to cover the cost, make sure you know exactly what is and what is not covered. And getting a few quotes for the repair work is also a good idea.

Preventing Future Water Damage

If you are cleaning up water damage after Hurricane Irma, you may want to consider looking into ways to help better protect your home and property in the future. Call the seawall experts at Gibson Marine Construction to take a look. They offer custom seawall designs that can help protect your property and possibly prevent future hurricane related water damage to your home.

Hurricanes Are Common Along the Florida Coast

Living along Florida’s beautiful coastlines, you are likely to have encountered or evacuated for at least one hurricane in your lifetime, if not many more. Hurricanes tend to be a common part of life along the coast, bringing damage and destruction with them.

Hurricanes affecting the Florida coast start forming in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, or the Caribbean Sea. The power of the storm tends to grow stronger as it approaches the coast. When the hurricane finally makes landfall, it brings high winds, torrential downpours, and a storm surge (a rise of the ocean caused by the winds of the storm) that often floods the area. This can lead to property damage and loss of property, or even worse, injury or loss of life.

Preparing for a Hurricane or Flood

There are many things you can do to prepare for a hurricane or flood. The most common preparations tend to take place as local storm warnings begin.

Stay Safe

The safety of you and your family is of the utmost importance during a hurricane or flood. It is important to have a hurricane plan in place, stay informed, and be prepared to evacuate. If you are advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

If you have some time before evacuating or before the hurricane hits, you may choose to take some additional precautions to protect yourselves and your property.

Protect Your Property By:

Boarding up the house, protecting windows with plywood boards or storm shutters
Securing outdoor objects
Turning off utilities and propane tanks as recommended
Moving valuables to higher ground
If not able to move furniture and appliances to higher ground, try to raise them a little higher by propping them up with wood, cinder blocks, or other materials

If Not Evacuating, Follow These Precautions:

Make sure you have several days supply of nonperishable foods and drinkable water on hand for each person
Have plenty of fuel on hand
Have any tools or supplies needed with you
Have plenty of flashlights and batteries available, do not use candles
Have a first aid kit available, along with life-saving medications family members might require. Medications may include: inhalers, epi pens, insulin, etc.
Have a safe room to gather in during the storm
Pay attention to local weather reports, via radio, tv, or the internet for as long as possible
If called to evacuate, do so immediately

Pre-Season Hurricane and Flood Protection

Most Florida coast homeowners are familiar with the standard hurricane and flood protection recommendations listed above, but did you know you can do more to protect your family and property before hurricane season starts? Take these additional measures to protect your home and property.

Make Sure Your Home Measures Up to the Guidelines

Building codes for withstanding a hurricane have become more strict over the years as punishing storms have hit the coastline leaving a path of damaged structures.

If your home was built before stricter enforcement of building guidelines began in the early 2000s, you may want to consider renovating your home to meet the requirements set forth in the Florida Building Code. This code is updated every three years, therefore homeowners should routinely check the guidelines to ensure their property meets these standards and remains a safe place to take shelter during a natural disaster.

Add a Seawall to Help Protect Your Florida Coast Property

Seawalls are best known for preventing erosion, that can lead to structural damage to your property and very costly repairs. But seawalls can also help protect your home and property during a hurricane or flood.

A seawall can add an additional layer of protection between a hurricane or storm surge making landfall and your back door. It can help keep some airborne debris, such as trees from hitting the house. Or it can help block the wall of water (storm surge) from washing away your entire yard. But most importantly, it can slow down the rushing waters of a flash flood, potentially giving you a little extra time to get you and your loved ones to safety.

Begin Your Pre-Season Protection Process by Calling Gibson Marine Construction

The seawall experts at Gibson Marine Construction are happy to help you to upgrade your hurricane and flood protection by adding a seawall to your property. They will be with you every step of the way, recommending the best wall height, building materials, wall location, and creating a custom design just for you. Get your seawall construction project started today before it’s too late.

Drying Out Your Property After Water Damage