If floodwater has barraged your home, you need emergency clean-up tips to prevent damage until help arrives. Floodwater can be a nuisance and can ruin your valuables and interiors beyond restoration. Water damage comes with other side effects as well, such as mold and mildew growth, food contamination, air pollution, decaying furniture, peeling walls, and downed electrical lines, and any of these can risk your health. If the water is above 2 feet, we recommend you to call a professional water damage company and then slowly traverse your way out to safety.
The achievement of your restoration actually depends upon you and how much you can save between the time help arrives.
Your Only Lesson
The biggest lesson that you need to learn is not taking the water damage lightly. Even if the water is just an inch deep or even if you just see damp spots, it can be the perfect place for mold growth. Molds are deadly. They are microorganisms that breed in a warm, humid environment such as damp rugs, wet walls, etc. It can destroy furniture, rugs, floor covers, and can cause illnesses, such as asthma, hay fever, and allergies. So, don’t underestimate the water and follow the shared tips almost immediately you spot water clogging in your space.
Tips for Emergency Water Damage Clean Up
Disconnect the Power Cords
Remove all electrical appliances connected at the socket and remove all digital appliances from water. If the water flood is above two feet, go to the main box and switch off the electricity supply gear. Try to find the source of water, such as burst pipe or leak and block it by either closing the valve or blocking it by wooden or metal blocks.
Remove Carpets
Remove damp carpets, underlying mats, tapestries, and rugs and place them under the sun for drying. Ventilate the area by keeping the doors and windows open so that air flows freely and dries the damp items.
Take Out the Water
If you can do it, try to eliminate as much water as possible using available tools, such as towels, buckets, mugs, brooms, etc. However, make sure you touch only that water which is uncontaminated and is not a sewer. You can pour the extracted water down the drain or on your yard, whichever is easy. If the electric lines are safe and no line is underwater or broken, you can also use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out the water. Dry the surface as much as possible to prevent mold attack.
Move all Small Items
Remove your movable furniture from the water-clogged area and bring them outside to dry. You can also place a plastic block to prevent permanent carpet stains caused by moist wood. Remove gadgets, books, important documents, perishable items and other valuables from the area.
Disinfect the Area
Once the water is removed and the area is dried, disinfect the surfaces that were exposed to floodwater with powerful sanitizers and cleaners. Make sure you call for a licensed water damage company for restoring your property from sewer and chemically contaminated water. Do not touch any item without proper precaution such as gloves, eye covers, and nose masks. Also, don’t hold on to any damaged thing, bring what you can and discard the rest.
