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What to do When Your House Floods? August 1, 2025

Discovering your home has flooded is a frightening and stressful experience. Whether caused by a burst pipe, heavy rainfall, or a failed sump pump, floods can cause serious damage to your property and belongings. Knowing what to do when your house floods can save you thousands of dollars, reduce long-term damage, and protect your family’s health.

What Causes House Floods?

Flooding can strike suddenly or develop over time. Common causes include:

  • Burst or Leaking Pipes – Especially in winter due to freezing.
  • Heavy Rainfall and Storms – Can overwhelm gutters and drains.
  • Malfunctioning Gutters – Poor drainage causes water to pool near foundations.
  • Appliance Failures – Water heaters, washers, and dishwashers are common culprits.
  • Sewer Backups – Contaminated water can enter through drains or toilets.

Understanding these triggers can help you spot issues before they escalate.

Actions to Take When Your House is Flooding

1. Ensure Safety First

2. Call Emergency Services and Insurance

  • Contact first responders if anyone is in danger.
  • Notify your home insurance provider and start documenting the damage with photos and videos.

For stubborn or unseen leaks that may be worsening your flooding, engage a professional leak-detection service right away. Companies like WeCo Rooter’s Leak Detection use advanced equipment to pinpoint hidden pipe failures and stop water intrusion before it causes more damage

What NOT to Do When Your House Floods

Avoid these common mistakes:

  • Turning on electronics or lights in a wet area.
  • Walking through standing water, which could be contaminated or electrically charged.
  • Using household vacuums — only use professional wet/dry equipment if properly trained.
  • Delaying cleanup — mold can start forming within 24–48 hours.
  • Trying large-scale DIY removal — you risk missing hidden moisture, which leads to bigger issues.

Call WeCo Rooter immediately for expert water removal in South Carolina — available 24/7.

Why Fast Water Removal is Critical: Risks of Delay

When moisture creeps into your home, it doesn’t just leave a mess — it invites health hazards that can affect everyone inside. Mold spores and bacteria thrive in damp environments, quickly compromising indoor air quality. This can pose serious respiratory risks, especially for those with asthma, allergies, or weakened immune systems. To ensure you’re handling cleanup safely and effectively, the EPA’s Mold Cleanup Guide for Homeowners is a trusted resource worth reviewing.

Beyond the health implications, unchecked water damage can gradually erode the very structure of your home. Wood, drywall, and flooring are all vulnerable to moisture. If repairs are delayed, the costs can escalate quickly, and what might’ve been a minor issue could lead to significant, long-term structural damage.

There’s also the emotional toll of losing personal belongings. Furniture, electronics, and cherished sentimental items can often be saved if you act fast. But time is crucial. To avoid mold becoming a secondary disaster, take a look at FEMA’s Mold Prevention Resource, which offers practical tips to protect both your home and your memories.

How Professionals Handle Emergency Flood Cleanup

When a flood strikes, professional water restoration teams follow a systematic, highly effective process to minimize damage and restore your property. These certified experts begin with a thorough inspection and moisture mapping to assess the extent of the water intrusion, including hidden or hard-to-reach areas. Once the damage is evaluated, they use industrial-grade submersible pumps and commercial vacuums to extract standing water quickly and efficiently.

After extraction, the focus shifts to drying and dehumidifying, using specialized air movers and dehumidifiers to eliminate moisture from walls, floors, and structural materials. This is a critical step to prevent mold growth and further structural damage. Once the area is dry, professionals carry out disinfection and mold remediation to ensure the space is safe, especially if the water was contaminated. Finally, the process concludes with cleaning, sanitizing, and restoring affected areas, which may include repairs to drywall, flooring, or insulation.

Residential vs. Commercial Water Removal

While the core cleanup process is similar, residential and commercial flood cleanup differ in scope and complexity. Commercial properties often span thousands of square feet and require larger-scale equipment and crews to manage water removal effectively. These jobs are also more complex due to operational disruptions, data protection concerns, and multiple insurance stakeholders.

Additionally, commercial cleanup often involves more extensive documentation and reporting, not only for insurance but also for regulatory compliance and liability management. Whether it’s a flooded home or a business, professional restoration ensures both safety and a faster return to normal operations.

Legal and Insurance Tips

Know What’s Covered

  • Homeowners insurance typically covers internal water damage, like burst pipes.
  • Floods caused by natural disasters are covered only by flood insurance policies. Learn more at Ready.gov Floods.

Claim Filing Checklist

  • Contact your insurer ASAP
  • Photograph all affected areas
  • Save receipts and damaged items
  • Don’t discard evidence before your adjuster arrives

Also, explore FloodSmart.gov to better understand your insurance needs.

Seasonal Flood Preparedness Tips

Flooding can strike in any season, often with little warning. Whether it’s spring rains, summer storms, or frozen pipes in winter, being prepared can make all the difference. Knowing what to do when your house floods starts with taking proactive steps before disaster hits. Here are some seasonal tips to help safeguard your home year-round.

Spring & Summer

  • Clear gutters and downspouts.
  • Use sandbags or flood barriers in flood-prone zones.
  • Test your sump pump before hurricane season.
  • For flood-resistant upgrades, check FEMA’s Post-Disaster Rebuild Tips.

Winter

  • Insulate pipes to prevent freezing and bursting.
  • Let faucets drip on very cold nights.
  • Learn where your water shut-off valve is.

Year-Round Tips

  • Install smart leak detectors and water alarms.
  • Regularly inspect your roof and foundation.
  • Schedule annual plumbing inspections with WeCo Rooter.

How to Prevent Future Flood Damage

  • Install a Sump Pump with Backup – Battery or generator-backed systems work during outages.
  • Improve Drainage Around Your Home – Ensure landscaping slopes away from the foundation.
  • Use Smart Water Sensors – Alerts to leaks via mobile apps.
  • Upgrade Plumbing Where Needed – Replace old or corroded pipes.

Why Choose WeCo Rooter

Your home deserves immediate, expert care — trust WeCo Rooter for all emergency water cleanup needs. Our team responds 24/7 with the tools and training to stop damage fast and start the restoration process right away. When you’re facing the chaos of water damage, knowing what to do when your house floods can make all the difference. Don’t wait, protect your property and your peace of mind with help you can count on.

  • 24/7 Emergency Water Removal Services
  • Local South Carolina Experts
  • Licensed, Bonded, and Insured
  • Outstanding Customer Reviews

Flooding is a stressful and costly experience, but with prompt action and professional help, you can minimize damage and restore your home. Knowing what to do when your house floods and taking preventative steps now can make all the difference. Don’t wait — call WeCo Rooter for fast, reliable emergency water cleanup in South Carolina.

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