What Can I Do To Protect Documents From Flood Damage In North Falmouth?

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

If you are concerned about flood-damaged documents, give SERVPRO of Upper Cape Cod and The Islands a call.

North Falmouth Owners Want To Know Their Documents Are Safe From Flood Damage

Residents of North Falmouth know that relevant paperwork is all too easy to lose or damage. Most of us have at least a handful of vital documents that need to be kept safe, such as birth certificates or insurance documents. But have you ever thought about keeping your records from harm in the event of a flood?

Flood damage in North Falmouth affects every part of the home. Depending upon the severity of the flood, homeowners could find themselves facing warped floors, damaged drywall, soaked carpets and chairs, and water-damaged documents. No one wants to deal with flood damage, but thankfully SERVPRO of Upper Cape Cod and The Islands is here to help.

One primary concern in the event of a flood is the loss of irreplaceable documents. So what can local homeowners do?

Which documents should I protect from flood damage?
There are some important papers which you should always protect if you can, including:

Household documents – mortgage papers, car lease or ownership papers, and insurance policies
Medical documents – medicine scrips, vaccination records, and health insurance information
Personal records – birth, marriage, and adoption certificates, degrees, passports, and social security cards
Pet records – adoption or purchase certificates, vaccination records, and microchip numbers
Financial documents – bank details, wills, IRS details, bank statements, tax records, 401(K) details, and receipts

Are there any other details I should add?

The above list covers the necessary paperwork you should protect. However, SERVPRO recommends writing down the following details and adding them to your papers:

    •    Doctor contact details
    •    Emergency contact details such as families and friends
    •    Contact information for utility providers
    •    Photocopies of credit cards and drivers licenses

You can also keep precious family photo albums with your essential documents. You might also consider backing important electronic files up onto flash drives and keeping those with the collection.

What is the best way to keep my documents safe?

It's a good idea to gather all your essential information together as soon as possible before disaster strikes. SERVPRO suggests investing in waterproof storage boxes or cabinets for your valuable personal effects. Please be sure to choose waterproof units rather than just water resistance. If you can purchase storage that is fireproof as well as waterproof, that's even better.

    •    Keep your boxes or cabinets away from windows and doors, where water can enter your home. Store them on shelves at least six inches from the floor, if possible, and preferably on your home's upper story.
    •    You might also consider renting a safe deposit box outside of the home for specific documents that you do not require access to often, such as retirement funds, insurance policies, and investments.
    •    Take photocopies of all essential documents, and put extra copies on a flash drive. Always have a set of copies stored securely away from the original set.

Can I do anything to prevent floodwater from entering?

    •    Prevention is always better than cure, so you must try to prevent flood damage from occurring. Maintain your home regularly and take care of any broken gutters, missing roof tiles, or worn door and window seals you find.
    •    Keep your pipes and gutters clean. Remove leaves and gunk from your gutters, especially after a downpour, and keep your pipes well protected to prevent freezing and breaking.
    •    Take good care of your plumbing system. Check for leaks or drips, and deal with any issues as soon as you find them – do not delay.
    •    Look after your appliances – make sure the tubes and connectors are in good condition at all times.

Can SERVPRO help with my documents?

If you are worried about flood-damaged documents, call SERVPRO. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, and we have technology that can help restore damaged materials.

Our technicians will examine your papers and give you an honest assessment to which can be saved and which cannot. For those that can be saved, we employ techniques such as vacuum freeze-drying and gamma irradiation cleaning to preserve and cleanse certificates, papers, books, policies, and more. Our vacuum freeze-drying method is the same one that is used by the Library of Congress.

We can also help you digitize your documents so that you can access them more easily in the future, and you will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your documents are properly backed up.

Our teams also take care of every other aspect of flood damage restoration, from water extraction and cleaning of all soft furnishings to drying and deodorizing. We are available 24/7, which means there is always someone on standby to help you in the event of a disaster.

If you are concerned about flood-damaged documents, give SERVPRO of Upper Cape Cod and The Islands a call at (508) 888-5985.