5 Tips For Water Damage Restoration Before Help Arrives
There are a lot of ways you can control water damage before professionals arrive. When faced with any kind of spillage, leaks or floods; it is important to do your part in relieving the damage as much as possible.
Given below are 5 tips for water damage restoration.
1. Assess The Situation And Act Accordingly
You should first determine the kind of water damage you’re dealing with. Certain situations like sewage leaks, natural disasters and flooding require careful attention; and measures should be taken accordingly. If there is flooding which involves high water levels, you should evacuate everyone before proceeding with anything else.
Their safety should be your first priority. In case they have come in contact with contaminated water, then they should change immediately. If water damage is minimal and there are no safety and health risks, then everyone involved can assist in water restoration.
2. Collect Valuable Items First
Collection of indispensable and valuable items should be the first step in case of property damage. Instead of grabbing the items which are closest to you, try to save items of high priority including those that cannot be replaced. This can involve important documents, receipts, family heirlooms and other expensive items.
Treat fragile items with great care. In case of valuable photo albums, carefully remove the pictures and place dry paper towels in between the pages to absorb extra moisture. Use gentle air drying techniques to salvage what you can. Place items which do not require immediate attention in dry bags and seal them until they can be dealt with.
3. Take Protective Measures
If there is a risk of contamination, everyone should be advised to avoid contact with water. Use gloves and boots when you remove items, especially soaked ones. Turn off the main power switch immediately.
Do not touch or make contact with electrical appliances, wires or circuits that are wet. You can also prevent further damage in case of leaks by shutting off the main water source. Try to stick to dry areas and make sure you don’t want in water that may also be in contact with electrical devices that are plugged in. It is best to leave the house and immediately call the water damage restoration professionals.
4. Be Careful Of Sewage Contamination
Sewage spills are more dangerous and unsanitary than normal water leaks. You have to be very careful when dealing with sewage since there are health risks involved. Try not to touch anything which has come in contact with the sewage. Open all the doors and windows to permit proper air circulation since contaminants also get added to the air. Wear protective gear in case it is absolutely necessary to handle valuable items which have come in contact with sewage. Do not let the sewage sit for a long time and contact the authorities immediately. This is definitely the time to call in the water damage restoration professionals.
5. Try To Restore Damaged Items As Soon As Possible
You can manage to save many items if you take the right actions immediately. Do not let items soak in water for a long time. Try to remove extra and excess water wherever possible with appropriate tools. Prolonged soaking and excess moisture can lead to the development of mold which can be quite difficult to remove. It can also cause irreversible property damage.
Collect all the wet items and dry them using appropriate methods. You can hang wet curtains, rugs, sheets and clothes outside to let them dry in the sun. Remove furniture from water affected areas and clean them immediately. You can make use of fans or blowers to speed up the drying process.
Conclusion
It is important to not panic since it can worsen the situation and prevent the possibility of saving anything. Remember to follow the proper safety procedures and seek help immediately, especially for flood damage. While you wait for the water damage restoration professionals to arrive, do your part in saving your home.