Now that winter is here, your home is at an increased risk for water damage.  Not only do you need to worry about water damage associated with seasonal flooding, you also have to worry about flooding caused by ruptured water pipes. Unfortunately, flooding is dangerous for your home, regardless of the source. If your home floods this winter, you'll need to avoid mistakes that could cause additional problems for you. Here are four mistakes you need to avoid when your home floods. 

Postponing the Repairs

If your home has flooded, you may think that the best thing to do is wait for the water to recede before beginning the cleanup. While that might seem like a good idea, there's actually risk involved in postponing the cleanup. In fact, the longer you wait to begin the repairs, the more likely it is that you'll face more significant water damage. Not only that, but postponing the repairs makes it more likely that you'll be left to clean up a mold problem as well. The best thing to do after a flood is to begin the cleanup as soon as possible. 

Tackling the Repairs Alone

If you want to save money on the clean up, you may decide to tackle all the repairs on your own. This might seem like a good idea, but in the long run, the do-it-yourself approach could end up costing you more money. To save yourself time and money, and to ensure that the repairs are done properly, hire a flood damage restoration company to take care of the cleanup project.

Stopping at the Water Removal

If you think that cleaning up after a flood simply requires removal of the water, you're mistaken. Cleaning up after a flood requires multiple stages; stages that continue long after the water has been removed. Once the water has been removed, you'll need to make sure that your home is thoroughly dried, including below the surface and behind the walls.You'll also need to remove and replace any drywall that was damaged during the flood. If you miss any of the steps, you could be left with lasting problems. To avoid any missteps, it's best to hire a professional cleanup crew. 

Avoiding the Insurance Completely

If you want to avoid a ding on your insurance, you may decide to leave your insurance company out of the loop entirely. Unfortunately, failing to file an insurance claim may put you at risk later on, especially if you have problems with the restoration, or your home floods again. Protect yourself and your home by filing an insurance claim immediately following a flood.