Returning home after water damage has affected your home can be a devastating event. It is important for homeowners to know which safety precautions to take when handling water damage.
When you return home, you should check for the smell of gas. If you smell any gas, you should leave the home immediately and notify the authorities as there could be a risk of an explosion.
One of the most important steps to take is working to prevent mold. Mold can become extremely toxic and can end up costing more for remediation than the water damage itself. Mold can start to grow within 24-48 hours of the water damage and once it starts to grow it increases rapidly. You need to get the property dry as soon as possible to prevent mold from forming. If you live in an area susceptible to water damage, you should have a phone number saved of a professional company who you can call right away to get started on the process of drying your home.
Another safety concern after water damage is the electronic equipment. If the water rose to the electrical outlets, you should try and switch off the power source. Once the power source is turned off you can unplug all the electrical equipment. The faster the equipment is unplugged, the greater the chance that it can be saved.
You also want to disinfect the home. Water damage can leave bacteria from the toilets and sewer system that can impact you and your family's health. Use a strong disinfectant to wipe down all the drywall wall and any other surfaces the water touched.
Remove and dispose of waterlogged items. There are some things that will need to be thrown out and when handling those items you want to make sure you have on rubber gloves and protective clothing while you do so. Just like the walls where the water touched, items in your home will also have dangerous bacteria.
Sometimes it's better and safer to hire a restoration company to help with water damage repair, contact the team at ServiceMaster Restore today for flood cleanup, carpet cleaning and much more.
