When your home or business has been damaged by a flood or burst pipe, you will need an expert in flood damage remediation. The professionals at RestorationMasterFinder.com will repair the damage and restore your space. After you call in a water damage cleanup company, there are a few things you should do to minimize the damage to the structure and your belongings:
Assess Safety
Before you enter the damaged area, do a safety assessment. Depending on the extent of the damage, it may not be safe for you to enter your home or office.
- Water damage can weaken the structural integrity of the building. Do not enter an area with sagging ceilings.
- If the electricity to the building has not been shut off, watch for submerged electrical appliances and electronics. These can short and cause serious electrical shock.
- If the area has standing water for more than 24 hours, wear a surgical mask to avoid inhaling mold spores, or avoid the area until the professionals arrive.
Keep in mind that the floor will be slippery and objects may have shifted during the flooding. Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of injury in water damage cleanup projects.
Remove Standing Water
If it is safe for you to do so, remove as much standing or pooling water as you can. If your basement is flooded with more than a foot or two of water, wait for a professional water damage restoration team to arrive. Removing the water too quickly will damage the building’s foundation.
Use a wet-dry vacuum to remove standing water, or use towels to soak up smaller pools of water on furniture, counters, and other surfaces.
Move Furniture, Rugs, and Smaller Items
If you can, remove area rugs from the room and spread them outside to dry. Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs. When wood furniture is exposed to excessive moisture, the stain can transfer to the carpet leaving permanent marks. Metal table or chair legs can leave rust stains. Remove smaller items such as books, toys, chairs, and other miscellaneous objects from the area.
Not sure if you need to hire a professional water damage remediation company? Consider these three questions before you decide to take on a water damage cleanup project yourself.
