Do You Know What To Do When Floods Happen?
9/25/2018 (Permalink)
When a disaster happens, it’s difficult to know what steps to take. But when you’re facing a flood, doing the right things as soon as you can makes a big difference. Check out our tips for what you should do – and what you shouldn’t do – if your property ever suffers water damage.
In a Flood, You SHOULD:
- Shut off your water. Locate the main shut off valve and turn it off (clockwise).
- Get rid of as much water as possible. Mop up any standing water and open the windows to help dry things out.
- Move furniture, carpets, and other belongings off the wet floors. Move valuables, carpets, and furniture out of standing water and off of wet spots. If any of the items are wet, set them down to dry with plenty of space between them – more space means more airflow, which will speed drying. Rugs should be hung up, but not over a railing or against a wall: the drying rug will just get the railing or wall wet.
- Open and air out all containers. Containers aren’t always watertight; if a box, bag, trunk, or other container is damp on the outside, make sure you unpack it completely and air out the contents.
- Dry clothing (unless dirty). Leaving clothes wet increases the chance of mold or mildew growth. If the clothing is dirty from dirty water, don’t dry it. Leave any delicate or specialty items for the professionals to handle.
Things To AVOID:
- Never use a vacuum on water. Household vacuums aren’t designed to suck up water – getting them wet can be a safety hazard.
- Don’t go near anything electrical. Outlets, plugs, and appliances are all off-limits after a flood. Just because you can’t see damage doesn’t mean all is well. Wait until an electrician has been able to determine safety.
- • Don’t go into rooms with sagging ceilings. A sagging ceiling is waterlogged and could fall at any moment. Call SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall as Soon As Possible
The sooner we get on scene, the better. With water damage, the first 24 hours are critical: if you call us right away you increase the chances that everything can be salvaged. The longer something is wet, the longer the water has to soak in, the harder it is to remove, and the more likely it is to become mold or mildew.