Water damage can become a devastating experience; whether it result from a burst pipe, a broken water heater, excess flooding or a summer storm. Whatever the cause, experts states that water damage restoration is imperative to preserve your home and avoid any future repairs. Below are some valuable water damage restoration tips and key steps you should follow to help you to help you deal with water damage.
Assess Safety First
Personal safety is your number one concern. With that being said, none of the following steps should occur if it will present a risk to the personal safety of any person. Once you have assessed the safety of going into your home, then you should proceed.
Turn off the electricity whenever you are dealing with interior water damage, especially if you have rooms with standing water in them. You should never walk around in standing water that's in a room with electrical power. As soon as you arrive and start to clean up, just turn off the power to be safe. Exposure to extreme moisture can cause structural damage, such as cracked foundation elements and warped flooring. It is a good idea to check for visible damage before entering your home after a leak or flood, because it may be unsafe.
Remove the Water and Your Personal Property
Act quickly to remove as much of the moisture as you safely can from the flooded area to help prevent further damage. Use mops and towels to quickly soak up standing water. A wet vacuum can help get rid of excess water, but check the manufacturer's instructions on safe usage in a large-scale flood. Strategic and careful fan placement around the wet area can help encourage drying, especially in the first 24 to 48 hours after a leak or flood.
As soon as possible, move all of your wet belongings and furniture outside, or to a dry area in your home. Don't forget to remove any area rugs, as their dyes can bleed into and stain carpet and wood floors. Do not, however, attempt to lift tacked-down carpet. It will shrink as it dries and, if you have removed it from the tacks, it will no longer reach from wall to wall.
Contact a Water Damage Restoration Expert
Surface water damage can certainly destroy your furniture and carpets, but if you don't take care of the moisture that has seeped into the structure of your home, you could have serious problems after the fact. Without flood damage restoration, underlying structural deficits could lead to the collapse of floors, stairways or other structural elements. Damage from water and sewage that is left untreated can also lead to mold and mildew growth, poor air quality and an unpleasant smell in the home.
Large-scale flooding events require the assistance of a flood damage restoration expert to mitigate possible sewage or household chemical contamination. Even if the floodwater looks clear, it can contain dangerous microbes and hazardous chemicals. Professionals understand how to safely handle any potential contamination. Working with a water damage specialist is the best way to limit the extent of the destruction after a flood.
Water damage to your home can cause many headaches, with cleaning up after the fact being one of them. Whatever the cause of your water damage is from, it's key to take the steps necessary to fix your home before it causes more problems down the road. These water damage restoration tips will help you navigate what to do first and how to effectively restore your home if you find yourself in this situation.
