The Do's And Don'ts In Water Damage Restoration

There are many causes of water damage to homes or business establishments. Most are caused by natural disasters like unexpected storms and river basin overflow, resulting to serious flooding of basements, kitchens and even the whole house. Some are due to manmade lapses in the proper maintenance of the building facilities, like pipes bursting or water sprinkler systems malfunctioning. Others are caused by leaks in appliances that utilize water, like dishwashers and washing machines. In any case, these occurrences could pose a serious problem and a lot of inconvenience for the owner. These necessitate proper water damage restoration.

The following outlines water damage restoration do's and don'ts. These are basic tips that any homeowner or business establishment entrepreneur could follow to ensure an effective water damage restoration program and recover their valuable investments.

The Do's in Water Damage Restoration :

* Before any water damage restoration activity can begin, it would be wise to consult with experts, particularly for large-scale damage like submerged houses or vehicles. An authoritative assessment of the damage to prevent any safety and health risk, before any do-it-yourself activity can be performed.

* Always wear protective clothing while performing any water damage restoration activity. This includes rubber boots, gloves, goggles and masks.

* Ensure that electricity in the sockets is turned off. Remove any electrical appliances during the cleaning process.

* Use submersible pumps to remove remaining water. If water remnants are small and won't need the use of pumps, use mops to remove as much water, then blot out remains using super absorbent sponges or chamois cloth

* Remove wet rugs and other coverings on the floor. Hang them out in the open to dry.

* Move photos, frames, paintings and other decorations from the affected room or area and store in a dry place.

* Remove moisture from furniture using sponge, chamois cloth or paper towels. Secure them first by relocating to a dryer area.

* Remove draperies, curtains and other similar furnishings. If wet, hang them in the open to dry. Hasten drying by facing fans to wet sections.

* Open cabinet doors, closets, drawers to allow drying. Open windows and doors for proper ventilation into the rooms and affected areas.

* Use fans and blowers to enhance drying and facilitate water damage restoration. If available, use dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air. Spot-dry areas using handheld blowers or dryers.

* Remove books, cardboard boxes, paper and other organic materials from the affected area to prevent risk of mold infestations. Perform document drying on these items as needed.

The Don'ts in Water Damage Restoration:

* Do not go into affected houses or rooms if electricity is still on. Water is a good conductor and may cause serious electrocution and injuries.

* Do not go into a water-damaged house or establishment if structural integrity is in question. Ask experts to check to avoid injuries and further disasters.

* Do not turn on wet appliances. Keep them unplugged and have qualified technicians check them out if recoverable.

* Do not use ordinary vacuum cleaners to remove remaining standing water. Use submersible pumps or wet/dry type of vacuum cleaners if available to speed up water damage restoration. Borrow from friends or rent if necessary.

* Do not handle mold infested furniture, documents and other materials without proper protective gear. Molds are health hazards and can trigger various infections and complications.

* Do not wait for long periods of time to take action and perform water damage restoration. Mold infestations can grow within hours and would be difficult to clean if exceeds 48 hours.

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