Steps To Take While Waiting For The Restoration Professionals To Arrive
Water damage can be caused by nature or by indoor plumbing, but no matter its source, the damage to your home can be severe. You should always contact a professional restoration service provider to make sure that the damage is handled properly, and your home is made safe for your family to live in. But in the mean time, there are several things that you can do while you wait for the pros to arrive.
The first and most important step is to stay safe. In some severe situations, contaminated floodwater or electrical hazards may make the home unsafe to occupy. If it’s not safe, wait outside until help arrives. Even slippery floors can pose a safety risk, so always err on the side of caution.
If possible, attempt to remove any excess water. Buckets, mops, and towels can help eliminate some of the water that standing on the surface. It may not seem like much, but by removing the big puddles, you’re preventing it from seeping further into your home, where it can become a more difficult problem to deal with.
Move any valuable items to safety, such as books, or family heirlooms. Furniture and appliances may be expensive, but they are also easily replaced, and will likely be covered by your insurance. Focus on the items that are irreplaceable and priceless to you.
Avoid turning on any electrical appliances, including fans, heaters, and vacuum cleaners. While they may appear to be helpful in the cleanup process, the electrical hazard that they pose could potentially make the situation much worse by either injuring someone or shorting out and causing a fire.
Additionally, attempting to use a vacuum cleaner to soak up or dry out the water is also going to spread bacteria and other microbes into the air, where they can potentially cause serious health issues, while also contaminating and ruining the machine.
Remove wet rugs from hard floorings, such as hardwood, vinyl, or laminate. The water they trap under them will slowly seep into the floor, and cause damage to the sub-flooring. Also, some rugs may have dyes and colorants that could bleed and stain the flooring below.
Any kitchenware, such as dishes and utensils, should be collected and sterilized with a strong bleach mixture. Both biological and chemical contaminants can stick to them even after they are dry, and may cause health problems in the future.
If there’s ever any kind of water damage to your home or business, it’s recommended that you contact PRS today. We’re available 24/7 through our emergency hot-line at 919-467-1991. Our trained and certified professionals will be able to determine the severity of the damage and work with your insurance company to keep your out of pocket costs to a minimum.
