The Do's and Don'ts of Handling Water Damage

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Fire and water damage to a building in Springdale, OH.

The Do's and Don'ts of Water Damage Repair

In an effort to contain and destroy massive fires, firefighters are forced to be vigilant and merciless when it comes to getting the job done. This often entails the full use of their fire hose across all areas, inside and out, to defeat the blaze with insurmountable force. Therefore, both fire damage and water damage become issues to address once the restoration process begins. Before you start the necessary cleaning procedures, take a look at these essential do’s and don’ts for handling water damage in Springdale, OH.

1. DO prop up any furnishings that are upholstered and remove them from the building. Dense, fabric-covered cushions from sofas, chairs and the like can be tainted with dirty water and soot-covered debris. They should be kept outdoors to dry before deciding how best to clean them.

2. DON’T use or try to turn on any electrical appliances that may still be plugged in. Depending on the amount of flooding that is in the space due to fire damage and its aftermath, anything plugged in that may also be touching water should be actively avoided at all costs to prevent shocks or full-blown electrocution.

3. DO remove excess water where possible, if it’s safe to do so. Mopping up the floors and wiping up any flat surfaces can only help speed the process along.

4. DON’T stay in any rooms where the ceilings appear to be dangerously sagging. This generally indicates extreme flooding or water saturation, and such a ceiling could potentially collapse at any minute, causing serious injury to anyone standing beneath it.

The heavy use of the fire hose when battling a mounting inferno can lead to both fire damage and water damage to contend with during restoration. Prepare to begin the process a little more knowledgeably with these helpful do’s and don’ts at your disposal, and remember that professional help is always an option.