Water Damage – What to Do and Not to Do

Water damage to your home can be debilitating, causing a shift in your everyday routine and potentially costing you a lot of money. But how you handle the aftermath of a water emergency is just as important as knowing what to do to prevent it. Do you know how to handle a water damage emergency? Here’s what you need to know.

Did You Know?

About 2.2 out of 100 households experience water damage each year. Water can damage the walls, floors, ceilings, cabinets, furniture, and other personal belongings in a home. It also creates the perfect environment for unwanted growth to form.

Dealing With Water Damage

It can be difficult to know what you should and shouldn’t do in a water damage situation. After all, you don’t want to make the situation any worse. Here are some tips to help you along the way.

What Not To Do

When you’re dealing with water damage, it’s important to take extra safety precautions. Here are some things you should never do.

Don’t Use Your Vacuum Cleaner to Remove Water

Never try to use your regular household vacuum cleaner to remove water. Because it is not designed or built for water extraction, using it for that purpose can damage it and render it unusable. It can also be dangerous! The electric parts are not protected from accidental water entry, which could cause sparks and/or electric shock. Professionals like PuroClean Restoration Specialists have the tools and equipment to safely and efficiently extract the excess water from your home.

Never Operate Electric Household Appliances

Do not attempt to turn on or use your TV’s, radios, computers, ceiling fans or other electrical items in your home while standing on wet floors or carpet. You are likely to be shocked and even electrocuted as it will be difficult to get out of or off the wet floor.

Don’t Touch Electric Outlets or Appliance Plugs

Do not attempt to plug in or unplug any electric appliances, chargers, or chords, and stay away from electrical outlets and powerstrips. This is especially important if the floors or walls near or around the outlets are wet.

What To Do

Water damage can be a nightmare to deal with, but there are several things you can do to help the process. Here’s what you need to know.

Call a Professional

Water damage restoration is not a DIY project. Call an experienced restoration expert immediately to treat the affected areas. Because of the inherent health risks that can come from water damage and unwanted growth, it is critical to rely on trained experts to properly treat and minimize the risks for you and your family.

Learn More: Things to Know: Water Damage and Insurance

Turn Water Off

If a pipe freezes or appliance breaks, be sure to turn off and stop the flow of water as quickly as possible. Then, call a licensed plumber for professional repairs. Be prepared! Knowing where the shut-off valve could save you a lot of time and money in damage restoration costs.

Proceed With Caution

Watch your step! Water can cause floors to be slippery. And remember, it is important to also exercise caution when walking into a room that still has electricity flowing through it. Avoid electrocution by turning off all power to your home until the water is completely removed and the affected areas have been restored.

Remove Excess Water

Remove as much excess water as possible using mops and towels. Remember, do not use your household vacuum to extract the water. To speed up the drying process open your windows in cool weather and, if it is safe to do so, turn on your air conditioner in hot weather.

Prop Up Furniture

If water has invaded your floors, chances are your furniture has been affected. Prop up your furniture as best as you can so that it is up off of the floor and out of harm’s way. Remove all loose cushions and set them aside, away and out of reach from the water.

Remove Area Rugs

Be sure to remove area rugs and pick up books, magazines or other items that may be on a wet floor or carpet. Be sure all items are completely dry before returning them to their original locations.

Open Storage Containers

Open suitcases, bags, and other storage containers or boxes that may not have been water-resistant. If possible dry them thoroughly in sunlight to avoid unwanted growth from forming inside.

Protect Valuables

Remove pictures, artwork, vases or other valuables to a safe, dry place. For important documents such as birth certificates and social security cards, it’s best to keep them in a water-resistant box or safe at all times.

Learn More: 5 Tips to Prevent Water Damage in Your Home

Professional Restoration Specialists

Puroclean Restoration Specialists is the experienced professional restoration company that a stressed-out homeowner should call first when disaster strikes their home. We have the equipment, experience, and trained personnel needed to restore your home from water damage, as well as damage from fire, smoke, biohazard waste, and natural disasters. We recognize that water damage causes a devastating setback to families or businesses, and do whatever it takes to give back that sense of security as quickly as possible.