Florida’s year-long warm weather also means that, unfortunately, when other states get cooler temperatures and snow, this part of the USA receives torrential rain and sometimes even hurricanes. Hurricane Ian last year, for example, made landfall in SW Florida and devastated many South Florida homeowners. Contrary to uninformed opinion, water damage is not just a matter of things getting wet and needing to dry out. Here are five “Dos” and “Don’ts” for dealing with water damage in your home.
Do Check The Water Level If Flooded
One of the first things you should do if water damage is high enough to count as flood damage is to inspect the water level before entering. Even if it’s your own home, flood levels can change the layout of your home enough that it can be risky or unfamiliar.
Don’t Enter If You Suspect The Water Is Electrified
If you didn’t have time to turn off the electrical power to your home before flood waters entered, there is a chance, if the water level is high enough, that submerged appliances and electrical outlets may have electrified the water. Test the water first to see if it is electrified, as just wading in can have lethal consequences.
Do Ventilate The Space
If the water damage isn’t as severe as flood levels, and you have damp areas like carpet or furniture, opening windows and bringing more air circulation into the area can help dry and recover items. These less intrusive recovery techniques can do a lot to help your home.
Don’t Vacuum Items
While trying to remove water by sucking it out with a vacuum may seem logical, water damage restoration professionals will tell you this is not a great move. Normal vacuums aren’t designed to take in water, so you can damage a perfectly good vacuum cleaner doing this. Additionally, vacuuming may add more dirt to furniture and carpets, making their restoration more difficult than it was before.
Do Wear Protective Gear When Entering Or Handling Water
It’s always better to err on the side of caution regarding water damage and wear protective clothing, such as waders, gloves, or masks. This clothing protects you from getting wet since getting wet is uncomfortable and can negatively impact your clothing.
Don’t Interact With Black Water
Not all water is safe for people. Aside from the water coming from a pipe to your home, most water isn’t. This is especially true of “black water,” used in toilets and normally flows down to the sewer. If sewage water has backed up into a home, even skin contact may be enough to infect you with an illness.
Do Mitigate the Water Damage
If water damage is caused by a specific source, such as a cracked water heater tank or leaking pipe, take steps to contain the damage. Shutting off the water supply or other measures are all things you can do to minimize how much more damage occurs.
Don’t Use Electrical Appliances
If water has spread to an area of your home, it’s unwise to continue using electrical appliances. This is especially true for things like lamps and televisions plugged into wall outlets. Electrical devices pose a big risk once an area has been subjected to water damage.
Do Call Restoration Professionals
Call the professionals if you want a fast, efficient water damage restoration. They know how to deal with both the water removal and help you in the recovery process, especially when it comes to items in your home you may be concerned about, such as furniture recovery.
Don’t Take Your Time Dealing with Water Removal
When it comes to water damage restoration, time is crucial. Many items can be safely recovered and restored if they are attended to within a short amount of time. The longer you wait on water damage restoration, the more likely you are to find that some items can no longer be recovered, and you’ll have to replace them with new items.
If you need help with your water damage situation, contact First Call 24/7 Inc. at 866-637-9669; if you need 24 emergency assistance or leave your name and telephone number on our contact page for a free consultation.
