Financially and psychologically, water damage can be a disastrous situation. You will understand how quickly water damage can spread and how challenging it may be to clean up if you have ever had water damage on your property.
While there are a lot of online resources providing advice on what to do after water damage, it’s also beneficial to know what not to do after water damage.
Reminders on What Not To Do After Water Damage
Do Not Use Electronics
Since water is a potent electrical conductor, wet electrical equipment runs the risk of creating a short circuit, which can result in tragic accidents.
Electric appliances damaged by water should never be used until fixed. First things first, unplug all electrical appliances and begin cleaning up any water damage. In the unlikely scenario of flooding, turn off the power supply with the help of a qualified electrician.
Do Not Forget To Take Pictures Of The Damage
For insurance purposes, it is essential that you properly take pictures of the damage. Send your insurance provider all of the evidence you take, including videos and pictures taken from every aspect of the damaged areas.
Do Not Forget To Wear Your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Standing water poses a health risk since it can be tainted with germs, viruses, and other dangerous materials. Thus, it is imperative to use PPE such as boots, gloves, and face masks, when walking into standing water.
Also, wearing rubber boots can protect you from electrical shocks, keep your feet dry, and protect you from sharp objects.
Do Not Clean Category 3 Water
Never try to clean up water inside the property yourself if it comes from a backed-up drain, a damaged sewage line, a flash flood, or hurricane flooding. In these cases, the water is classified as Category 3, meaning that it includes pathogenic substances that pose a significant risk to human health.
Stay away from contaminated areas until they have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by qualified professionals to protect your family’s health and well-being.
Do Not Leave Wet Things Altogether
Mould can grow rapidly on wet paper and cloth products. For this reason, it’s advisable to separate any wet clothes, magazines, books, and other things you may have as soon as possible so they can dry. Mould will grow and spread more easily inside your building the longer you let them stay attached.
Do Not Repair A Wet Ceiling
It is not advisable to try repairing wet ceilings by yourself. These water-damaged structures’ bulges and sags might indicate that they are just barely holding back water, and one mistake could lead to their downfall. Hiring professionals to complete this work might help you prevent expensive injuries and accidents.
Do Not Trust Surface Drying Alone
It is important not to make the mistake of depending only on surface drying while addressing water damage restoration. Although it may seem like a quick cure, surface drying leaves your property open to secondary problems like mould growth if the moisture in the walls, flooring, and other hidden areas isn’t addressed. There could be major health risks for you and your family if moisture seeps into the structure and provides the ideal environment for mould growth.
Enter the damaged area only when a professional has assessed the situation and given the all-clear.
Do Not Redecorate Straight Away
It’s not pleasant to see your property in chaos after the water completely damaged it. Still, while cleanup and restoration have been finished, you must postpone repairs and redecorate. For example, trying to repaint wet walls will only provide a temporary solution. Because of the residual moisture in your walls, you can quickly notice peeling or discolouration patches.
Do Not Delay Seeking Assistance
The process of restoring water damage alone can be time-consuming and costly. However, if you hold off taking care of the damage for too long, it will increase the costs and take longer for you to recover from it.
Don’t hesitate to get assistance from a licensed water damage restoration professional if you think that the problem is beyond your control.
Do Not Try Taking Care Of Everything On Your Own
When handling water damage, it’s crucial to keep in mind that specialized tools and techniques approved by the service sector are frequently needed.
Restoring your property to a stable and healthy state after water damage from flooding or burst pipes requires the skills and tools of professionals.
Ways To Prevent Water Leaks And Damage In Your Property
- Learn how to look for leaks
- Make sure your gutters are clean
- Take good care of your outdoor trees and plants.
- Take good care of your roof and appliances
- Think about purchasing water-detecting devices
Know When To Hire Professionals
Even though the extent of the water damage may be small, it’s crucial to know when to call in professionals for cleanup and restoration. When the damage gets worse, you can find yourself in trouble if you try to take on overly complicated cleanup work by yourself. Professionals are capable of providing you with comprehensive information about the extent of the water damage, eradicating any standing water, drying out the damaged area quickly to preserve as much as possible, and eliminating any potentially harmful bacteria that might have survived the water damage.
Summary
To sum up, preserving your property while minimizing the likelihood of costly repairs and health risks requires understanding and knowing what NOT to do after water damage. You can deal with water damage effectively and make sure that the restoration procedure is safe and effective by doing the recommended actions.
You must deal with water damage right away. You can face a greater risk of further property damage and a greater likelihood of mould growth the longer you wait. Don’t forget to give an accredited water damage restoration professional a call as soon as possible so they can assess the problem and begin any required repairs.
