Floods can cause a shocking amount of damage to a home, even if the impact seems relatively minor at the time. While waist-high floodwaters are an event to take seriously, even minor basement flooding can lead to catastrophic consequences in the future. Unaddressed moisture can cause rot in structural elements and lead to mold infiltration that can be costly and time-consuming to repair.

In many cases, the best way to avoid these problems is through quick action. Water seeks the path of least resistance, allowing it to seep into vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas. Waiting to deal with these problems can lead to hidden areas of persistent moisture and future mold growth. These three tips will allow you to mitigate the damage to your home and avoid costly mold problems.

1. Get Rid of the Water (Safely)

The first step is to get rid of the water as quickly as possible. If you only have floodwater in your basement, you may be able to use a sump pump or a more powerful rental pump to remove it yourself. Contact a water damage restoration company immediately if you don't have access to this equipment or the water infiltration is more extensive.

Remember that floodwaters can contain harmful pathogens. When possible, avoid entering any floodwater, even water in your home, without wearing proper protective gear. It's crucial to remain safe while attempting to restore damage to your home, so this is another reason to contact a professional if you don't have access to adequate gear.

2. Don't Allow Wet Items to Dry In Place

Wet belongings are a common source of mold problems. Furniture, clothing, and anything else that can absorb moisture provides a rich ground for mold growth. Even worse, these items can increase humidity in the room as they dry, potentially making it much harder to deal with damage to your walls, floors, and ceilings.

In general, you should plan to remove any belongings or furniture that got wet. Waterlogged furniture can be cumbersome, so you'll probably need assistance to move these items. If you don't plan to use a professional water damage restoration company to restore waterlogged belongings, it's usually a good idea to discard anything that got too wet during a flood.

3. Get a Professional Consultation

Even if you want to do most of the clean-up and restoration work yourself, you should still plan to hire a water damage expert to inspect your home. Professionals can help spot damage that you may have missed, and they can provide you with more information about potential long-term impacts such as mold growth.

Scheduling this visit can ensure you're taking the proper steps to restore your home, allowing you to avoid expensive and potentially hazardous future mold problems.

For more information on water damage mitigation, contact a company near you.