Water Damage Steps

2/11/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage can be devastating for a home or business. It's possible to lose everything as a result. However, it's essential to understand what needs to be done if your home or business has sustained damage due to some water-related incident or natural disaster. There are certain steps you need to take in the event of a flooded home or business. These steps will keep you safe and help you prepare for professional technicians to start the water cleanup process in your flooded home or business.

Unknown Hazards

Water damage is often hard to pinpoint once the water has receded. It can occur for many reasons. However, it usually results from a flood, a supply line break, or a pipe break. The damage can be both dangerous and devastating. Although it may not be visible to the naked eye, what you can't see can hurt you. Within 24 hours of water damage, microbial growth sets in. Moisture can collect just about anywhere. It can be present behind the walls, in the drywall, and even in furniture and other porous materials. However, this is not the only concern. Wildlife can also take up residence in a recently flooded area, creating an extra need for safety and precaution. It's not unusual for everything from snakes and rodents to reptiles to be present in a flood situation. Be prepared. Wear boots and other protective clothing. It's also not a bad idea to wear rubber gloves and a vapor respirator. Even contaminated liquids can pose a threat to your safety. This is a concern with a supply line break and a pipe break. This is why you must exercise extreme caution when entering an area that has been recently flooded from natural causes or a supply line break or pipe break.

Safety Measures

If you must enter an area that has been recently flooded, make sure that the electricity has been turned off. Electric wires and outlets may still present some safety issues, making it possible to be electrocuted. Err on the side of caution to prevent injury. Flood damage always calls for extra safety measures. A restoration company generally makes mitigation a priority when it comes to making an area safe again. Water cleanup is generally the priority in situations where there is water in a home or water in a business. The drying process is a part of the mitigation plan as well. Anytime you have a flooding situation, there is usually some sustained damage that will make some things unusable.

Restoration Professionals

Professionals best handle water damage. A restoration company is qualified and prepared to determine what items in a flooded home are beyond salvaging. The same holds for a business. However, items like mattresses, box springs, particleboard, and pillows hold more moisture than other items and generally have to be thrown away. This can be done before a restoration company comes to perform water cleanup. Record and itemize any items lost to flood damage for insurance purposes. Restoration companies make mitigation a top priority when handling water in a home and water in a business. They have the skills and training to quickly determine items that have water damage and may be unsalvageable. Professional technicians will know how to approach water cleanup and the drying process. They understand the hazards that water can create and actively work to diminish those hazards through mitigation.

The Process

A professional restoration company comes into a flooded home or business with mitigation as a top priority. They search for pockets of moisture and remove them. These pockets can be behind the tile, walls, and other materials that may feel dry to the touch. They use specialized equipment that allows them to measure moisture levels. This equipment can locate moisture in hidden pockets. These pockets are then exposed to air by removing tile, drywall, or any other material that may be trapping the moisture in a particular area. This is part of the drying process. Part of restoration is pressure washing any areas where moisture was present to prevent or eliminate mold and bacteria growth. Detergent can be used to pressure wash affected areas. If mold and bacteria are found, technicians get rid of them by using mechanical methods and chemical methods. They also have tools that speed up the drying process to prevent more bacteria and mold growth.

Make Sure the Company is Certified

Make sure the restoration company that you hire is certified. The certification should be through a reputable organization as well. Technicians who have had the proper training know what to do in the event of flood damage and water damage resulting from a flood, supply line break, or pipe break. Anytime you have standing water in your home or standing water in your business for a prolonged amount of time, there will be damage. However, acting quickly and calling a professional company are the best approach.

Dealing with a home or business that has sustained water or flood damage isn't fun. However, the chances of mitigation and restoration are greater when you hire a restoration company to help. Professionals will identify which items have been damaged beyond repair, locate excess moisture and remove it. Go with a professional company if you are faced with water in your home or water in your business.