Every single day, a natural disaster or other catastrophic event occurs somewhere in America, crippling businesses and homeowners alike. Floods and broken water pipes can wreak havoc to floors, walls, ceilings, carpeting, and to all items within affected rooms. Fires can leave a great amount of smoke damage to entire structures. The smoke damage from the fire is often more problematic than the fire damage itself. When such incidents occur, swift action is absolutely essential. In the case of water damage, the first 48 hours after the event occurred are a critically important time to have restoration efforts undertaken.
Mold is a dangerous allergen, a fungi that grows best in warm, humid, and damp conditions, and if left untreated, reproduce and spread spores. For this reason, the cleaning and treatment of areas affected by water damage in a timely manner can prevent the onset of mold.
For anyone incurring water damage to their building, there are some important "Do's and Don'ts" to consider:
Do:
- Turn off the water main (if water damage is the result of water pipe breakage).
- Shut off power through the electrical breaker box before unplugging or removing any electrical devices from the affected area.
- Move items away from the affected area.
- Call a reputable company that specializes in Water Damage Restoration.
Don't:
- Use a standard home vacuum on the affected area, as water can damage the unit.
- Walk on affected floor or carpet more than necessary, as tracking through wet areas can cause damage to be spread to otherwise unaffected areas.
If a fire happens within a home or business, this is also an area where restoration services can be of great benefit. The fire, and the resulting smoke and soot, which permeate just about everything in the affected area, needs to be dealt with safely and promptly. Some "Do's and Don'ts" in areas affected by fire damage:
Do:
- Call for Fire Damage Restoration services immediately.
- Open windows to increase ventilation.
- Inventory contents involved in the fire, and take pictures.
Don't:
- Enter affected areas before being cleared by authorities, as the air may still have a high toxicity level.
- Wipe down walls, furniture, wood, or any absorbent surfaces.
- Turn on power to any devices in the affected area.
- Touch upholstered furniture.
Unfortunately, bad things do happen that are beyond people's control. As bad as the situation may seem to be, though, there can be hope to restore things back to normal. Action must be taken quickly after the incident occurs. If it isn't, the building could become a total loss.