How To Cleanup Water Damage

Water damage can cause continuous and extensive damage, so it’s important to clean it up as soon as you can. Most property owners prefer to leave this to the professionals because they have better tools and safety equipment. There are still some steps you can take to minimize the damage or secure your property until emergency water damage services arrive. Consider the recommendations mentioned below:

1. Check if Your Property is Safe to Enter

Your first priority is to check whether the property is safe to enter. Flooding damage can compromise the structural integrity of your property. If you notice that your walls are bent and the roof looks unstable, you shouldn’t enter the property until it’s cleared by professionals.

2. Close the Water Source if You Can

If the flood isn’t natural and is caused by burst pipes, try to shut off the water source. Most pipes in modern plumbing have shut-off valves that are easily accessible. If you’re not certain about the valve’s position, you can ask a plumber or look online for more information.

3. Shut Off Power Supply to the Area

Everyone knows that water and electricity are a dangerous combination. You should cut off power supply to the flooded area before you attempt to do water damage cleanup. You can use flashlights if you’re worried about visibility. If you don’t shut off the power supply, you can place yourself and the emergency repair crew at risk.

4. Wear Protective Boots and Gloves Before Touching Flood Waters

Flood waters contain pathogens, chemicals, and other such harmful substances. If you don’t know where the water originates from, you should wear protective clothing, gloves, and boots before you try to clean it. If you don’t have any protective gear, it’s better to not touch the water and stay away from the property until the water cleaning and restoration services arrive.

5. Call a Water Damage Clean Up Service and Insurance Companies

After you call a water damage clean up service, call the insurance company right away and report the damage to them. You shouldn’t delay this because insurance companies will use that as an excuse to lower your compensation amount. You need to start work on water damage control as quickly as you can because water will continue to destroy your property if it’s allowed to linger.

6. Air Out the Area

Airing out the room will help reduce the levels of moisture and lower the possibility of mold. Open all doors and windows to the area and let the sunlight come in. This will make the clean-up process easier. Mold will grow within 24 to 48 hours in humid and moist environments, so you should air the room out as quickly as you can in order to discourage it. If you follow these steps, you should be able to minimize the damage done to your property, which will help with insurance claims as well as the restoration process. You can ask water damage cleanup experts for some suggestions when you call them. They will offer more advice.