Flood restoration tips from the professionals
Whether it is your home, office or commercial building that has been flooded, you’ll want to get pumping water out and drying the building out as soon as possible. The longer you leave flood damage, the more difficult and expensive the flood restoration will be. However, your first concern must be your safety. Six inches of water can hide all manner of dangers. It’s easy to slip or trip. Six inches of water is more than enough to drown should you have an accident and be knocked unconscious.
These dos and don’ts of water damage restoration will help to keep you safe and your flood restoration work effective.
Flood restoration dos
Before, during and after flood restoration work, do:
- Turn off the water supply
- Turn off the electric supply
- Watch out for snakes, insects and rodents
- Check for gas leaks and turn off the gas supply
- Check on the stability of furniture – you don’t want a heavy cabinet to fall on you
- Patch holes in the roof with tarpaulin
- Remove debris
- Check the floors carefully before walking over them
- Keep the property well ventilated to aid the drying-out process
- Always wear protective clothing
- Maintain cleanliness – wash your hands with clean water and antibacterial soap
- Remove wall coverings and drywall, which may have been contaminated by flood water
- Consider ‘How to repair water damaged drywall so stains never return’
- Throw away all food, drinks and medicine that may have been tainted by flood water
- Either discard soft furnishings and drapes, or have them professionally restored (if possible)
- Read our article ‘What to expect from water damage remediation after a flood’
- Place important documents in sealable bags and have them professionally cleaned later
- Read our article ‘Your basement has been flooded. What should you do?’
- Take photos and videos of the damage for insurance purposes
Flood restoration don’ts
Now for the don’ts. Do not:
- Enter a flooded building until it has been passed as safe to do so
- Tackle flood restoration on your own
- Walk on compromised floors
- Use electrical appliances
- Remove water from a basement too quickly – the foundations may have been weakened
- Attempt structural work yourself
- Use the buildings power system – use stand-alone generators for power
- Allow garbage to build up – remove and trash as you go
- Leave water to stand – if you do, you could suffer with the ‘three Ms’: mold, mildew, and mosquitos
The biggest do of them all
If you are the victim of a flood, call your insurance provider. They will offer help and advice, and explain what is covered in your policy. This alone can be a comfort.
Flood restoration is hard work. While you may be able to do a lot of the work yourself, it takes time to do so. You will also need to hire specialist equipment. Don’t underestimate the time or cost. It is also worth noting that some insurance policies will only reimburse for work that is undertaken by professionals.
So, check with your insurer, then save yourself time, worry, effort and money by hiring professionals to do the flood restoration work needed.
In NJ, contact Porter’s Cleaning. We’ll be happy to provide a quote for flood restoration and help to return your home or office to its best.