Water damage causes severe structural damage to your home in small but impactful bursts or through long weeks of wear and tear. Although water damage commonly happens in bathrooms, attics, and basements, other parts of your home can also be vulnerable to it. Even though water damage can seem like a simple issue after removal, its effects force you to make thousands of dollars in repairs and renovations.
Precautionary measures during storms and floods
Homeowners usually face water damage through internal or external sources. It can either come from faulty systems within your home or be a consequence of harsh climate conditions. Whichever the case, improper handling of water can lead to disastrous results for your health and your home’s structures.
If you want to handle water damage from floods or storms properly, here are five safety tips you should remember:
1. Be wary of electrical hazards
If you’re dealing with a strong flood, there’s a high chance that the water levels may reach your electrical outlets and plugged appliances. These potential electrical hazards can cause deadly shocks if you don’t wear the proper gear to protect yourself. Before you consider doing any repairs, assess the area first for any of these electrical sources.
2. Avoid dealing with sewage water
Floods from sewage are the most dangerous to handle since it contains excrements and flushed materials like oils and dirt. These sewage floods can contain harmful bacteria and microorganisms that can spread illnesses and diseases. It’s best to avoid handling the water removal yourself. Instead, it’s better to hire a professional to ensure your safety.
3. Contain the water’s source and reach
To avoid any further damage, it’s best to cut it from the source. It can be in the form of an exposed section of your roofing or a faulty pipe. Try to turn off or restrict the water source’s output as much as possible and set up a perimeter to contain the area. If it’s not a plumbing issue, it’s generally easier to patch it by yourself. However, it’s best to contact a plumber if you’re dealing with a clogged toilet.
4. Clear off any valuable items
If it’s still manageable to rescue some of your belongings from the flood, make sure to do it next. You must expose paper documents, furniture, and clothes through safe areas and air dry them to avoid any smudging due to water damage. As a preventative measure, it’s best to purchase plastic containers when storing your valuables or keep them away from floors through elevated drawers and wall-mounted shelves.
5. Implement proper ventilation in flooded areas
After getting all your wet belongings, it’s time to do your part in removing the water. Besides scooping the flood water with a bucket and a vacuum, it’s proper to allow ventilation to dry up the water over time. It’s necessary to ensure that your floors won’t retain moisture and build up the right conditions for mold growth.
Even after mopping out all your home’s wet surfaces, allow a few hours of having fans and dehumidifiers around the area. Reducing humidity and moisture as much as possible will protect your home from long-term water damage.
Conclusion
Preparing for the worst can only get you so far, especially if you’re face-to-face with the full force of a natural calamity. Although you may not be completely safe from floods and storms, that doesn’t mean that you’re unlucky. With the help of professional restoration services, you can clean up and bring your home’s damaged areas back to its pre-water damage state.
If you need water damage repair in Santa Clarita for your home, we’re the right company to call. We provide 24/7 water damage removal for full-service restoration to our clients. Call us now at (877) 246-2951, and our water removal experts will deal with your home’s flooding concerns.
