Water Damage Restoration Tips

Here are some top tips to help you restore your property and your belongings as you rebuild following water damage:

• Be Safe: You may want to look inside the building before the professionals arrive to assess the damage for yourself. Check the ceilings. If you see sagging, do not proceed. Stay out until the professionals arrive. If you can ensure the electricity has been shut off this will make everything safer. Remember wet electrical appliances can cause electric shock with serious and sometimes fatal consequences. Wearing a surgical mask to avoid the inhalation of mold and contaminants is especially wise if the building has been flooded for more than a day. When in doubt, leave it to the professionals.
• Water Removal: You can utilize a wet-dry vacuum cleaner to remove standing water and take towels to furniture and other surfaces to soak standing water. You may be able to use laundry baskets or small buckets to remove pooled water. However, if the water is more than shin deep, wait for the professionals to arrive.
• Removing Items: Get as many items as you can from the building to outside. Remember, transporting items in standing water can be hazardous. However, you may remove rugs and leave them outdoor to dry. Both wood and metal furniture can leave stains on carpets but can also be heavy and awkward to handle. The professionals at Articles321 can take care of this for you.
• Clean And Protect: Once water and damaged contents are no longer in the building, clean the walls and floors with a combination of warm water and a quality disinfectant. Repeat this again when everything has been cleaned up. Professionals use specially made products for this process and their attention to detail is something you should not overlook when deciding to hire them for your clean up. If you do attempt this yourself be sure to follow all the instructions provided and wear the correct protective clothing.
• Something In The Air? It takes only 2-3 days for bacterial and microbial growth to form depending on environmental factors. But the growth can be rapid and cause your remedial costs to escalate quickly. Simply put, box fans, dehumidifiers and such like are inadequate substitutes (though they can help) compared to the equipment the experts bring. However, if you can run fans in the building this will help with water evaporation.

Don’t Do This After Flooding!

When you do not know something is a good idea, do not tempt fate. Articles321 are here to help you in this stressful time with the service you need and the experience you can count on, so you can rebuild going forward. Avoid doing the following:

• Do not leave wet material, fabrics, leather, furs, blankets, sheets, etc. in place. Ideally, hang them out to dry or place them outside.
• Do not leave paper materials on wet surfaces.
• Never use a regular household vacuum cleaner to remove water.
• Do not use electrical outlets or appliances while the property is still wet or until you have the clearance from the professionals to do so. This includes lights and ceiling fans.

Planning For The Future

When the professionals have done their job and maybe with an insurance check in your hand, what can you do to avoid this damage in the future, should you be unlucky enough to face similar circumstances?

• A yearly spring clean of the building to remove unwanted items and clutter will not only make your property more usable but also make it easier should you need to remove items in a hurry!
• Think of investing in metal and/or plastic shelves. The less items you have on the floor is an ideal and economic solution means less damage will be done to them in the future.
• Another option is plastic and/or rubber bins for storage. They can even be stacked or placed a few feet above floor level for additional protection.