What to do in the first hour after a flood
What to do in the first hour after a flood in a Townsville home: stopping the water, turning off the power, what to lift, what to photograph and who to ring.
Whether it's a burst pipe, a leaking hot water system, a storm through the roof or floodwater from outside, the first hour makes a big difference. The faster the water is out and the drying starts, the more of your carpet and belongings can be saved.
What to do in the first hour after a flood
1. Stop the water
If it's a pipe or an appliance, turn the water off at the meter or the tap under the appliance. If it's coming through the roof, put a bucket under it and move your things out of the way. Don't get up on the roof in a storm.
2. Turn off the power
At the switchboard, turn off the power to any room with water on the floor. Don't touch appliances that are sitting in water.
3. Ring us
Ring Bethel on 07 4725 6256. We do emergency water damage work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Carpet that's dried quickly can often be saved. Carpet that stays wet for a few days in Townsville's humidity usually grows mould.
4. Lift things off the floor
Move boxes, shoes, bags and anything on the floor of the wardrobe. Put foil or blocks of wood under furniture legs so they don't stain the wet carpet. Roll up rugs and take them outside. Don't pull the carpet up yourself, as it can tear.
5. Take photos
Photograph the water, where it came from, the rooms and your damaged things, before you move anything if you can. Your insurer will want them. Keep receipts for anything you buy.
6. Call your insurer
Let your insurance company know as soon as you can and get a claim number. We work with insurers all the time and can give them a list of damaged and restorable contents.
What not to do
- Don't use a household vacuum cleaner on wet carpet.
- Don't run a heater to dry the carpet.
- Don't touch sewage or dirty floodwater without gloves and boots. It's a health risk.
When we get there
We extract the standing water first, then set up air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the carpet and the building. If the house needs building work, we can pack up and store your things until it's finished. See our water damage restoration Townsville page for more.
