WARNING: Before doing anything, make sure that there is no imminent danger from structural, electrical, or health problems. If you are unsure, don’t attempt to do anything until help arrives. If the damage involves floodwater or raw sewage, there are bio-hazardous conditions present and you should always wait for a professional before proceeding.
After 25 years in this business I have come up with a few ways to keep you from the horrors of a disaster such as water damage to your home.
- ALWAYS turn your water off if you will be away from your home overnight. It only takes a few turns of a handle at your water shut off most likely located next to your hot water heater.
- COVER your outside faucets when not in use with a faucet cover found at your local hardware store.
- In the winter months, run the water at your faucets that are next to an exterior wall. All you need is a fast drip. MAKE sure you open all cabinets with a water pipe so the interior heat can get to the pipes
When damage occurs a home owner or business owner may not realize the severity of the situation at hand. Damage from water intrusion can occur when a refrigerator or dishwasher leaks, a hot water heater breaks, a water line bursts or an outside source causes flooding. After you realize you have damage, your first thought would be to soak up the water and move all your damaged content items from the room. Wiping up the wet surface on carpet, tile, or wood is not a permanent fix. The moisture may have penetrated the surface, which will take professional drying techniques. AmeriDri will dispatch our certified advanced structural drying technicians to help you as a homeowner or business.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, mold growth can occur even if materials are dried within 48 hours, so time is of the essence.
Should a leak or indoor flood occur, water damage specialist recommends that homeowners do the following to minimize loss and prevent further damage:
Turn off the circuit breakers (unless you have to walk through the walk to get to the circuit breaker panel) that supply electricity to the wet areas and remove small electrical devices from areas with excess water, if it’s safe to do so.
Stop the water by turning the water off to eliminate it at its source, if possible. Most water shut off valves are next to the hot water heater. It’s the pipe that is coming out of the ground and it will have a straight handle or valve. Obviously, this helps to minimize the damage and keep the costs down.
Avoid walking on wet carpets, to minimize the damage,
Remove furnishings from carpeted areas or place wax paper under furniture legs. This helps to prevent permanent rust or furniture stains on your carpet.
Hang draperies and pin up furniture skirts to avoid contact with wet floors. This helps to prevent permanent watermarks.
Remove any breakables, high-value items and moisture-sensitive items This might include articles like shoes, books, fabrics, paper goods, and potted plants. Check for these items under the beds and other furnishings in your home or business.
Plan for certified restoration crews to move furniture into unaffected, dry areas. This might require some additional preparation on your part, but it saves time in the long run.
Good personal hygiene is important when dealing with water damage cleanup.
Wash your hands after handling affected items.
Avoid the possibility of electrical shock. Don’t use a shop vacuum to remove/extract the water.
Avoid turning on fans and heating and air conditioning units as they may spread contamination if the situation is sewage related.
Turn to the specialist at AmeriDri for water damage cleanup. We know exactly what it takes to get your home and your life back to normal.
