What Do You Do After Water Damage Happens?
September 28, 2014
Author: Darin Jenks
Your Ogden home has suffered water damage now what? There are some really important things you should know. First and foremost it’s best to take action as soon as possible. When in doubt, don’t enter the flooded area until you are told it is safe by a professional.
Follow these easy steps to drying out and sanitizing your home:
- Start by opening doors and windows to let fresh air run through.
- Wear a mask to protect yourself against possible mold, mildew and allergens.
- Disconnect the power, unplug any electronics, and remove electronics, furniture and movable items immediately.
- Remove as much water as possible. Use old towels, buckets and mops to soak up as much water as possible.
- Dry out the area. Once you have removed all of the water, use fans and a dehumidifier to help dry out the area
- Disinfect. After the area has dried out, including wood beams, insulation, drywall, etc., use a good disinfectant to get rid of any bacteria that might have come up through sewers, toilets, etc.
- Dispose of damaged items. You’ll be tempted to throw everything into a dumpster and call it good. But if you can organize damaged goods into piles and recycle what you can, you will help alleviate the pressure on your local landfill site.
Watch out for these risks:
- Gas leaks –If you smell gas, leave the house right away and then contact your utility company immediately.
- Chemicals –When you get to the cleaning stage, be sure to ventilate well and limit your exposure to contact and exposure as best you can. Cleaning may expose you to a wide range of contaminant from cleaning agents and those that may have entered from floodwaters.
- Electrical Shock – In a wet basement there is a legitimate risk of electrical shock. Do not utilize and outlets that were affected.
- Pollutants – Sewage may contain bacteria and can transmit disease. The floodwater in your home may contain raw sewage. Always wear protective items including gloves, safety glasses and a facemask. Thoroughly wash after any contact with sewage or items touched by sewage.
Swift Restoration, water damage professionals , we often see first-hand how devastating water damage can be. Swift technicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You need a Swift response to your water damage emergency and you can count on us!
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