If your home gets flooded, it’s crucial you act fast to protect yourself and your assets. You can take several measures yourself before calling restoration specialists for cleanup. It’s important to do the right things at the right time. You can do some cleanup by yourself, but you must avoid these common cleanup mistakes to protect your property. You can preserve your home better if you sidestep these errors after your home is flooded.
Common DIY Cleanup Mistakes
Our first reaction is to start cleaning up water as soon as we see a problem. However, if you don’t clean up water damage the right way, you could end up with more issues. Here are the most common mistakes people make when water causes significant damage in a home.
You Don’t Shut Off Power
When your home experiences severe water damage, you may feel overwhelmed. It’s easy to forget to shut off the utilities, gas and water supply as you are absorbing the impact. But forgetting to take this vital step can be highly dangerous or even life-threatening.
Before you pick up a mop or shop vac, ensure that the power is turned off at the main circuit breaker. If you have natural gas, turn it off at the meter. It’s also wise to shut off the water supply at the main valve to keep the water problem from compounding.
You Don’t Take Necessary Precautions
Before you start mopping up water, it’s essential to take several precautions to protect yourself. First, use only battery-powered light sources, such as a flashlight or cell phone light, to navigate dark areas with standing water. A flame-powered light source could accidentally start a fire if a gas valve is leaking.
Second, wear the right footwear. You need shoes that will securely grip the surface, so you don’t slip and fall. Also, you need shoes that cover your entire foot. Your feet can get cut by items that are invisible under water. These simple precautions can save you further headaches and possibly medical bills.
You Don’t Let Fresh Air In
As soon as it is feasible, you need to open doors and windows to let fresh air into your home. The fresh air will help remove mold and mildew spores that quickly multiply in wet, enclosed spaces. Your best bet is to open windows and use fans to help wick water from the wet areas.
You Don’t Call for Help
It’s almost impossible for homeowners to do a thorough water cleanup job on their own. You may be able to clean up the surface water but fail to realize that the inside of the walls, sub-floors, and carpet are still holding water. The moisture that isn’t fully cleaned up can cause long-term damage that requires extensive repair.
Your first call should be to your insurance company to begin filing a claim. Your second call should be made within 24 hours of the water damage to Cleaning and Restoration Specialists. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help you assess the damage and restore your home to normal. Call us at (210) 610-5481 within 24 to 48 hours of the time of the flood.
