It’s an unfortunate statistic that 22 out of every 1,000 American households experience some sort of water-related disaster every year. Water damage can quickly become a costly and complicated problem for homeowners. In addition to the obvious harm that it can bring upon a home’s interior, water damage can also create the ideal breeding ground for the development of mold within the household. It is important that homeowners equip themselves with the knowledge of what steps to take after a water-related disaster to minimize water damage in the home. Enrique Ramirez, owner of PuroClean Property Paramedics, is an expert when it comes to emergency cleanups of all sorts, including those required as the result of a water-related situation. He recommends that homeowners adhere to the following guidelines in order to minimize water damage and aid in the cleanup and recovery process:
- Turn the water off: If excess water becomes an issue in your home, then you’ll want to turn off the water supply to the home as soon as possible. Depending on the source of the damage, you’ll either be able to do this on your own or with the help of your local utility company.
- Call for help: Companies such as PuroClean Property Paramedics that are well-versed in dealing with water damage can truly help minimize the negative effects of a water-related disaster. By calling for help right away, you’re likely to save yourself a lot of money and hassle by bringing in the experts to tackle the situation before it gets worse.
- Remove as much excess water as possible: You’ll want to do your best to get rid of as much excess water within the home that you possibly can. Mop up excess water and do your best to ventilate the affected areas of your home. In the wintertime, open windows to aid in the drying process. In hotter weather, turn on air conditioning if it safe to do so.
- Remove area rugs: Soaked area rugs can be difficult to dry. The best way to start the process is to remove them from the affected areas of the home and lay them out in a place where the natural drying process can begin.
- Air out storage boxes: If you find that your storage boxes or containers have gotten caught in the watery mess, then remove them from the water-damaged area and open them up in a dry environment. Remember, sunlight exposure can serve an effective method of drying damaged goods.
- Protect your valuables: You’ll want to remove valuables such as paintings or framed photographs before all of that moisture really sets in. Find a safe, dry environment to store such items until your home is properly dried out and cleaned.
- Protect your furniture: To protect furniture that stands on newly-wet carpet, place aluminum foil or plastic wrap under the furniture legs to avoid having the moisture seep in and cause further damage. Open all cabinet and chest drawers to allow the interiors to begin the drying process. For items such as couches and chairs, remove all cushions and, where possible, prop up upholstery for faster drying. A good cleaning service such as PuroClean will usually come equipped with special furniture pads for added protection in a water damage situation – another good reason to call for professional help as soon as possible.
- Know what not to do: The worst thing that you could possibly do after a water-related disaster is to cause yourself harm. Therefore, it is important that you avoid using electrical appliances such as televisions or fans while standing on wet floors or carpet until you are otherwise instructed. Also, do not attempt to plug in or unplug any electrical appliances unless you are advised that it is safe to do so. While you’ll want to take the necessary steps to minimize property damage after a water-related disaster, you should always make safety your number one priority.
Dealing with water damage is far from easy, and as a homeowner, you’re bound to get flustered along the way. By following the above-listed guidelines, you’ll be doing your part to keep damages in your home to a minimum, and you’ll be making that path to eventual restoration a whole lot quicker and smoother.
