If it can happen in NashvilleReal Estate, it can happen anywhere. You may have bought your home years ago, or maybe you closed yesterday. The closing attorney checked the flood maps and determined that your home is not in a flood zone. So, no flood insurance and no worries, right? Guess again! So many Middle Tennessee families were caught without flood insurance when water started rising into their homes during the Great Nashville Flood of 2010.

If this happens to you, it’s important to start the clean-up as quickly as you can in order to salvage as many of your belongings as possible. You feel that your life has turned upside down…and it has, but it’s critical to get started with the clean up as soon as the water recedes. Obviously the most important thing is to get everyone out of the house until it is safe again. Remember to turn off the main electric switch in your electrical panel. Call your power utility supplier for any special instructions.

Then what? Here are a few tips to get started:

• First and foremost, get the water out of your crawl space or basement. Don’t let mold have a chance to start growing. If water is standing, you can use a pump to get the water outside the structure. Remove the vapor barrier and any water logged insulation. Then use fans to dry the area. Air circulation is very important for the drying process. You can also use a de-humidifier to help the process.
• Analyze your living area. Quickly remove any wet carpet and padding. And what about the drywall? You can cut it right above the wet area and save the dry wallboard. But again, get it out of the house as soon as you can. Let the wall studs dry completely before reinstalling the drywall, because you certainly don’t want mold growing inside that space. A couple of weeks should be sufficient.
• If upholstered furniture has been damaged, it will most likely have to be thrown away. If any water has damaged your electronics, they will also have to be discarded. However, wood furniture can possibly be refinished.
• Use a bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 5 parts water for cleaning. This will kill the mold. Do not use undiluted bleach, as this will crystallize the mold. This causes the same effect as freeze-drying, and the mold will start growing again given a little moisture.
• Don’t forget to use a mask and rubber gloves while cleaning up after a flood.
• Some clothing may be salvageable with a good washing in a bleach solution.

The main thing to remember is to use caution and good common sense. Get the wet and damaged items out of the house as quickly as you can, and protect yourself from inhaling mold spores. Pay attention to any announcement regarding Federal assistance for flood victims and get your name on the list as soon as possible. These funds are there to help your family get back to normal … so take advantage of any help you can find.

Pam Rumley is an Exclusive Buyer's Agent in Nashville Real Estate. Contact Pam at 615-428-8500 for more information or to see any home for sale in the Middle Tennessee area.