We get a lot of rain here in Ardmore, OK, and that rain has caused serious flooding in the past. What should you do if your automobile gets stuck in a flood? We have some tips that you can follow to assess the initial damage and prevent additional damage. Seriously, we here at Oneway Automotive cannot stress enough how floodwaters can damage your vehicle, including the engine. Please keep reading!
Visually Inspect the Outside of Your Car
After the waters have receded and the sun is shining again, check the exterior of your vehicle to locate any visible damage. For example, if the floodwaters were deep and running hard enough, they might have carried debris with them that could dent your vehicle or break a headlight or taillight lens. Also, look for what’s called the “mud line.” Floodwater isn’t clean; it’s filled with dirt. You can see how deeply immersed in water your automobile was by the mud line on the side of the car, truck, or SUV.
Read the Mud Line
If you don’t see a mud line at all, it would appear that your vehicle was not immersed in water any higher than mid-wheels. Think about how high you saw the water in the street. If the mud line is below your vehicle’s doors, you are in luck insomuch as you likely didn’t end up with water inside your automobile unless you have door leaks. If the mud line is above the base of the doors, chances are the inside of your vehicle got wet, so open the doors carefully to see how sopped it is in there.
Things You Can Do
Once it’s warm and sunny, you can open your vehicle’s windows to help dry the interior but don’t start your automobile no matter what. You should also call your insurance company to file a flood claim. If your coverage includes flood damage, your automobile insurance carrier will pay to have the damage repaired after you pay the deductible. Take photos of the vehicle’s damage for the insurance adjuster. Set up an appointment for him or her to come out and inspect your automobile, as well.
Things to Avoid
As we mentioned above, don’t try to start your car, truck, crossover, or SUV. If the engine was flooded by water, this water can mix with motor oil, coolant, and other automotive fluids. Starting your vehicle will circulate the water through the engine and this can cause serious engine damage. Don’t start or try to drive your vehicle. Don’t clean it up, either, until such time as the insurance adjuster has inspected it. Let him or her see the damage. Once you get the a-okay, have your vehicle towed to the body shop.
Once the body and interior damage is repaired, we’d be happy to inspect your engine, brake system, suspension, and undercarriage. Oneway Automotive in Ardmore, OK, is a full-service automotive repair shop. Call us at (580) 786-4407 to discuss your flood damage.
