It doesn’t take much water to cause some serious damage. If you don’t take care of it in a timely manner, you can incur some hefty damage to both your building and your health. The first 48 hours are the most critical for taking urgent action. Whether you plan to do all of the cleanup on your own or call a professional service, you should act quickly.
Protecting Your Safety
One of the biggest threats a flooded building can present to your safety is electrocution. If there is any risk whatsoever of water coming into contact with outlets, ceiling fans, light fixtures, or electrical appliances, then power should be turned off immediately. If you must walk in water in order to turn off the power, then opt to have a professional come and do it for you.
Protecting Your Health
In as little as 24 hours after being exposed to water, mold can begin to grow on your floors, ceilings, walls, and furniture. Not only is the musty odor horrible to smell, but it can also be very hazardous to your health.
While it may be easy to see how a large amount of standing water can promote this growth, mold can also grow from a very small amount of water as well. Before mold has a chance to start growing, you may want to put a rush on getting the area dried out and cleaned up. If mold has already begun to grow, you should contact a professional cleaning company immediately.
Protecting Your Prized Possessions
You will want to act fast to save any of your prized possessions that have either come into direct contact with water or sat in a damp room for too long. Many hard items like dishes can be washed with just hot water and dish soap. For paper items such as photos or books, you may want to contact a restoration expert to find out if these items can be saved or not. A reliable restoration company may be able to save even the items you think have been destroyed, so it is always best to check before you throw things away.
Protecting Your Structure
If water is capable of carving its way straight through solid rock, imagine the damage it can do to your home or business. It’s not just your possessions and surface materials that are in danger of harm. As flooded water seeps in between your floorboards and behind your walls, it can begin to threaten the very structural integrity of your building.
In a very short time, water can cause your floors to warm, your walls to bow in or out, and even cause ceilings to collapse. Having a professional carry out the clean-up and inspection can go a long way in saving you lots of time and money down the road.
When to Call the Professionals
While it is true that you can carry out a majority of smaller flood cleanups yourself or at least do some of the clean-up beforehand, you will want to bring in the professionals in many cases. Having professionals on the job can help ensure that the cleanup is done correctly, quickly, and thoroughly. Many insurance policies require a certified professional in order to cover the damage, so check with your agent or call your homeowner’s insurance.