Water damage isn’t something any homeowner wishes for. After all, you have invested a lot of time and money in the construction of your home and taking care of it. Unfortunately, it could happen at any time and to anyone. So you need to arm yourself with the necessary knowledge on what to do and what not to do after suffering water damage.
When faced with water damage, one of the first things you should do is to get in touch with a water damage restoration company or Portland’s trusted fire damage restoration company. They have the skills and tools needed to mitigate the effect of the water and save your properties.
Suppose you’ve decided to go the DIY route with your water damage restoration project; there are some basic do’s and don’ts of the process you need to know about to avoid accidents. Read on to learn about them.
Things To Do
● Secure the area
When water damage occurs, your first step should be to secure the area. This can be done by closing off doors and windows and turning off the power. It would be best if you also had a plan for dealing with mould. If you have mould on your property, hire professionals to remove it before using any chemicals in the area or cleaning it yourself.
While you wait for professional help, ensure there are no pests or rodents in your properties and keep your staff and customers, or family members safe from harm.
● Remove All Valuables
One of the most important things you should do is remove all valuables from your house or office. Remove all furniture and appliances from rooms that are at risk of flooding and move important documents and records to a safe location, like an off-site storage facility or the office at work.
● Remove Standing Water
Use a bucket or other container to collect the water as it drains out of the house and garage. This will help prevent mould and mildew growth in the walls or flooring. Then use a shovel or similar tool to remove any mud and debris that may have collected around the foundation of your home or business. This will help prevent leaks, which can cause significant damage to your home’s structure over time.
- Turn On Ventilation
If your home has been affected by water damage, ensure that the ventilation in your home is turned on. Ventilation is a key component of flood restoration and water damage repair, as it allows air to circulate throughout the structure. With ventilation in place, moisture can easily escape from any area where there may be standing water or damage. In addition, ventilation prevents the affected areas from smelling.
● Reach Out to Your Insurance Company
If you are lucky to have a home insurance policy in place, you should make sure to get in touch with your insurance company to report the accident as soon as it happens. Then proceed to make a list of items damaged and then take as many pictures or videos as possible.
● Call On Mold Removal Experts
Mould is known to accompany water damage, especially when the restoration is not done by a professional. So naturally, you should expect to conduct tests to help detect the presence of mould in your home shortly after water damage.
Things Not To Do
● Don’t Delay Getting Help
Many people feel that water damage restoration is an easy process. However, this is far from the truth. When trying to restore a water-damaged property, most people usually end up making mistakes that will end up making things go from bad to worse quickly. This is why it is best to allow experts to handle things right from the start. You shouldn’t delay getting help when water or flood damage hits your house.
- Don’t Use Electrical Appliances in the Affected Areas
Water is a well-known conductor of electricity. So using electrical appliances in a wet area can lead to electrocution and other accidents. Most experts even advise that it is best to shut off the entire home’s access to electricity. This way, there is no risk of any appliance getting turned on accidentally.
It’s important to know what not to do when dealing with damage from water, especially if you want to get it done as quickly as possible. By taking the right steps and avoiding the wrong ones, you’ll get your home back to normal. And if you want the job done right, call a water damage restoration company.
