Saturday, March 16, 2013

Water Damage Clean Up: Do's and Don'ts

It has always happened to someone else. However, this time it is you. Whether your child left the water on, your pipes broke, your washing machine leaked, or there was a storm that decided to make its presence known inside your house; you now have a lot of water where it should not be. You know that what you do now can impact whether or not parts of your house and your belongings can be salvaged. However, you are probably not sure of exactly what to do or not to do when it comes to water damage clean up. Thankfully, these types of events do not happen very often, but that means not many know what to do when it does.

Safety First

First and foremost, be sure that you and anyone helping you remain safe while trying to clean up from water damage. Many types of hazards can be present with water leakage, including the potential for electrical shock. If you are ever unsure if the area or situation is safe or not to enter, to stop water loss, or to begin clean up, wait for the professionals to arrive.

Prevent More Damage

Remember to stay calm. Losing your head during an urgent situation such as this can lead to more damage, more problems, and the potential for you or others to get injured. If possible, stop the water loss. This may require the services of a professional plumber or your local water department. Locate and turn off the breaker to the affected areas before you remove or unplug any and all electronics.
Use aluminum foil to prevent furniture stains on your carpet by placing it under furniture legs. If the water is deeper, you can use plastic bowls or buckets on the legs of the furniture. Remove any draperies and rugs from the area. Also remove any wall decorations if the walls are affected. Empty drawers and cupboards of all items in order to help them dry quicker and easier. Turn on your air conditioning unit to help decrease drying time, but only if the unit is not located in the affected area.

Dont's

Do not use your vacuum cleaner. This can cause electrical shock and can damage the unit. Use a mop or s squeegee if the area allows. Do not place newspaper in the area as the ink can be transferred to the wet carpet and cause a permanent stain. If the ceiling is wet, do not turn on light fixtures or ceiling fans.

A water leak and subsequent water damage can be a very stressful situation and lead to many uncertainties. However, it is important to remain calm and make safety a priority when this happens. Following these tips for dealing with a water leak can help prevent further damage from occurring and give you peace of mind that you did all.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7521873

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