Water Damage: Immediate Aftermath DOs & DON’Ts
Dealing with the aftermath of water damage as removing standing water from homes can be incredibly difficult, stressful, and, above all, dangerous. The risks of injuries and health hazards are ever-present in these scenarios, necessitating strength and rationale that can be hard to muster under duress.
However, if you know how to react while awaiting specialists for water damage removal and restoration to arrive, you can minimize the dangers to yourself, your loved ones, and your property - and this guide will help you do just that.
What to do after water damage?
Let’s start off with the list of 5 actions you should take immediately following water damage:
DO: Ensure personal safety
Ensuring your safety and that of every occupant takes absolute precedence above anything else. Doing so will involve several steps:
Turn off power and gas to the affected area(s) or the entire property - but only if it is safe to do so. This significantly reduces the risk of health hazards, such as electrocution and gas poisoning.
Ensure everyone gets to safety, either by helping them move to the unaffected part of the building or evacuating the premises. Make sure everyone moves in a calm and orderly fashion to avoid accidents.
Avoid entering high-risk areas, such as rooms with sagging ceilings, slippery floors, or any part of the building you suspect compromised structural integrity, as all of these present a potential health hazard.
DO: Call professionals
Contacting water damage specialists is your next best step - and should be your first one if you’re at all unsure what to do or how to proceed. Once you get in touch, explain the situation and provide your basic info in a clear and concise manner. While you wait for them to arrive, follow the instructions they provide to the best of your ability, all the while ensuring that you’re not compromising yours or anyone else’s safety or taking unnecessary risks.
DO: Locate the source
Unless the source of damage is a consequence of natural calamity, you should attempt to locate it and take immediate action to stop or at least reduce the flow of water. Typically, this entails cutting off the main water supply to the entire property, but it could also involve actions such as plugging the leak or redirecting the water away from the affected area(s).
DO: Document the damage
Once the premises are safe to maneuver about, and before the cleanup starts, you should thoroughly document the extent of damage. You can use your smartphone camera to take pictures and videos of the affected areas, including damaged furniture, belongings, and structural elements. This data will help you when filing an insurance claim, as it does count as evidence, which can help you receive an appropriate compensation amount.
DO: Remove wet items
When you’ve finished documenting the damage, you should proceed to remove waterlogged items from the premises. Doing so prevents the spread of damage and allows the area to dry more quickly. If you believe that some items can be saved, move them to a dry and well-ventilated area. However, if they are heavily damaged, discarding is usually the best option as it reduces the risk of contamination.
What NOT to do after water damage?
Now that you know which actions are desirable, here are 5 that you should avoid:
DON’T: Panic
Facing water damage, especially if it is a result of a natural disaster, is a high-stress scenario that is certain to trigger an emotional and adrenaline-fueled response. While acting post-haste is definitely a must - acting rashly or on an impulse can only create more problems and jeopardize your well-being. However, taking just a few moments to collect yourself ensures that you’re making rational decisions and finding constructive solutions - while staying safe.
DON’T: Delay taking action
Whether it’s helping everyone to safety or calling a water damage remediation company, taking prompt action is what saves precious time - and in high-risk situations, minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
DON’T: Use electrical devices
In the aftermath of water damage, your first instinct may be to use any device you have handy to start the water removal and drying process. Avoid giving in to this impulse. Even if the devices in question are made for these purposes, you can’t tell if water damaged the electrical infrastructure, making their utilization a potential health hazard. Instead, wait after professionals have completed their investigation and greenlit the usage of electronics.
DON’T: Attempt contaminated water cleanup
If water inside the building is from a naturally occurring flood, a broken sewage line, or a backed-up drain - do not attempt to clean it yourself. There’s a great chance that this water contains pathogens that can result in severe illness or death if ingested even in small amounts. Stay out of the affected areas and wait for professionals to conduct a thorough cleanup, to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
DON’T: DIY
Dealing with the aftermath of water damage, regardless of the extent, can be highly risky and potentially hazardous. Therefore, instead of putting your health and safety on the line, let trained professionals address the issue.
Specialists for water damage removal and remediation from San Diego have the tools, knowledge, and experience to conduct necessary repairs quickly and safely, making them the best choice to help you get your life back on track.
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