If your home has experienced a devastating flood from a natural disaster or an unfortunate accident, it is important to act quickly to mitigate the damages caused. Before entering the property, make sure it’s safe to do so. This can include checking for electrical hazards, structural damage, and contaminated water. Then, use personal protective equipment like boots, gloves, and face masks to begin assessing the damages. Once you’re inside, follow these self-mitigation tips:
- Know that time is of the essence. In these situations, the severity of damage can increase by the hour. It is important to act as quickly as possible to reduce any further damage from taking place. Mold can start to grow as soon as 48 hours after a flood has occurred, so it is imperative that you remove the water and dry the area immediately.
- Dry out anything salvageable. If any water damage is left in the home, mold will grow. It is essential to remove as much water as possible and ventilate the area. Open windows, bring in fans, and air everything out.
- Assess the damage. If the water damage came from outside or potentially contaminated pipes, it is in your best interest to throw away anything that came into contact with the water. If you are unsure of the potential damage caused, then bring in a professional to assess the damages for you.
- Open pockets in the flooring and in the walls. Oftentimes, pockets of water can be concealed in layers between the flooring and the walls. It is important to cut open pockets throughout these areas to allow for ventilation so that mold does not grow.
- Schedule a time for a thorough cleaning. Whether you take this on yourself or hire a professional, make sure you get into every single nook and cranny in your home. This is crucial to preventing further issues, like mold, from contaminating your family.
After a natural disaster or unlikely accident occurs, knowing what your first step should be toward remediating the damages caused can be confusing. If you have experienced water damage, call your insurance provider immediately, and they will give you some guidelines on where to go from there. Next, contact a restoration company, like Restoration Connection.
Services With Restoration Connection
We are a restoration provider that partners with service providers that are assisting residents in need of restoration services. If you are a plumber, handyman, or another type of service provider that is experiencing water damage, we are here to help you have the most hassle-free restoration experience possible. Call us to get started today.
