What Not to Do After Experiencing Water Damage

10/6/2020 (Permalink)

Drying equipment in a Horse Creek, TN home

What Not to Do After Experiencing Water Damage

Water damage is caused by a number of different sources, including severe weather, flooding and even a broken pipe. Regardless of what caused the damage, there are certain steps that you need to take to resolve the damage. Likewise, there are actions that you should avoid doing at all costs. Avoid worsening the water damage afflicting your home in Horse Creek, TN, by not performing the following actions.

1. Never Attempt to Dry Water Using Newspaper.
Attempting to dry the water is a natural instinct after a flood, but it's best left to water remediation professionals. Placing newspaper down on wet surfaces, especially carpeting, is a one-way ticket to a permanent ink stain in your rug.

2. Never Walk on Wet Surfaces or Wade Through Flood Water.
There are multiple reasons why you should never interact with the water in home. First of all, there's no way of knowing whether or not the water is electrified. Secondly, gray and black water contain biohazards that are dangerous to your health.

3. Never Attempt to Clean Water Using Your Vacuum.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but many people have attempted it before. Along with damaging the vacuum itself, sucking up water with this type of equipment is an easy way to electrocute yourself.

4. Never Attempt to Clean Black Water Yourself.
Black water contains biohazards such as human fecal matter, dangerous chemicals and raw sewage. Interacting with this type of flooding is extremely detrimental to your health and is best left to professionals.

5. Never Enter Any Rooms With Obvious Structural or Electrical Damage.
In extreme cases, the best thing you can do is stay put and wait for help. If any area of your home has obvious electrical or structural damage, such as exposed wires, a broken pipe or caved in walls, you need to stay away.
Water damage caused by a broken pipe, flood or hurricane can inflict catastrophic damage on your residential property. If not resolved correctly, it can only lead to subsequent issues, such as mold growth. Contact flood remediation experts for assistance dealing with any type of water damage.