Water damage is a nightmare that can happen to any homeowner. The most important thing you can do when water starts pouring into your home act quickly and contact professionals for help.
It’s not always easy to know what steps to take in this situation, so we’ve compiled the “Do’s and Don’ts” of water damage restoration.
The Do’s and Dont’s of Water Damage Restoration:
Do’s of Water Damage Restoration
- Act quickly! The faster you take action, the less damage will be done.
- Turn off the power. If there is any water near electrical outlets or wiring, turn off the power to your home as a first step.
- Shut off gas lines if they are close by. If you smell gas or water near a gas line outside your home, shut off the main valve immediately.
- Remove furniture and other items from a safe water source, then soak up any standing water with towels or rags.
- Open windows and doors to allow the area to dry out. It will help minimize mildew and mold growth.
- Remove any excess water with a mop or towels.
- Dry out wet walls and floors with fans. Keep windows open or run a dehumidifier to help speed up the process.
- Remove excess water with buckets, mops, and towels.
- Throw away any un-washable items that have been affected by the water.
- Cut away damaged carpeting or padding in order to dry out below it.
- Eliminate standing puddles of water by absorbing them with kitty litter or newspaper.
- Remove wallpaper that has been affected by water.
- Repair any leaks in the roof, walls, or plumbing.
- Wash all of your clothes and linens that have come into contact with floodwater.
- Sanitize everything that has been in contact with floodwater.
- Disinfect all surfaces with a bleach solution.
- Store any items you can’t clean in a sealed container until they can be adequately cleaned.
- Take pictures of the damage for your insurance claim.
- New Paragraph
Dont’s of Water Damage Restoration
When it comes to handling the aftermath of water damage in your home, there are several things you should never do:
- Don’t enter your flooded home if it’s unsafe. If the water is murky or live wires are present, wait for professionals before entering your home.
- Don’t turn on the electricity if there is water in or around outlets, light fixtures, switches, or panels. Electricity and water don’t mix!
- Don’t walk through standing water over carpeting unless you are wearing waterproof boots with rubber soles; even small amounts of moisture can easily damage wet carpets.
- Don’t try to dry out your home yourself with fans or heaters. This can cause more damage and increase the drying time.
- Don’t use electrical appliances or turn on light switches while standing in puddles of water.
- Don’t use hot water when cleaning up the mess, as this can cause more damage to wood and floors.
- Never attempt drying out or cleaning up any area that has been flooded with raw sewage – this is extremely hazardous and can cause you further health problems.
- Don’t try to clean up your home without properly disinfecting it first. There is a risk of cross-contamination if you don’t.
- Don’t smoke or use an open flame in the presence of standing water as there is a risk of fire.
TIP: Remove wet items from your home and throw away any porous materials that have been soaked in water. This includes clothes, rugs, carpeting, and furniture.
Do not attempt to clean them yourself if you suspect mold is growing on these objects or materials!
Contact a professional restoration service immediately for help cleaning and de-molding.
The Bottom Line
Water damage is a hassle that no one wants to deal with, but following these do’s and don’ts can help minimize the damage and get your home back to normal as quickly as possible.
For more information on water damage restoration, contact Insight Restoration today!
