What Are The Immediate Steps You Need To Take After Water Damage?

9/28/2022 (Permalink)

What Are The Immediate Steps You Need To Take After Water Damage?

What Are The Immediate Steps You Need To Take After Water Damage?

A water leak or a flood in your Huron & East Seneca Counties home or business can wreak havoc on your premises. Such a leak often happens with little to no warning, so it's best to be prepared ahead of time. 

It won't take long to start seeing the destruction after a flood or leak. Within an hour, carpeting becomes soggy, and water seeps into your carpet pad. Wood flooring begins to buckle as the moisture seeps through to the subfloor. Wood furniture will swell and warp if left in standing water, and any moisture that has leaked through a ceiling or a wall will destroy drywall and insulation. Your wallpaper will peel, and the paint will begin to blister.

There are some steps you can take after water damage to alleviate some of the worst of it, however. Keep reading to learn more!

If I Experience Water Damage, What Should I Do First?

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first:

• Determine whether it is safe to stay in the building.
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy; be careful when handling them.

What's next?

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Gather loose items from floors.

What Does SERVPRO Recommend You NOT Do After Water Damage?

Here are a few tips to help you avoid unnecessary issues after water damage:

• Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don't leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet; keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties is your go-to for water damage restoration. We are also mold remediation experts, and we can handle any unpleasant associated odors immediately. Our commercial water damage services will help you get your Huron & East Seneca County area business back to work as soon as possible!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.