You want to take care of your home, and that includes handling the cleanup process after water damage. While we encourage homeowners to get involved with cleanup, you should avoid making common mistakes that can imperil both your safety and the integrity of your home.
Today, we’ll go over some of the common mistakes homeowners make when handling damage.
The Difference Between Water Damage Cleanup and Water Damage Restoration
Water damage cleanup is about extracting water and drying out the area, as well as picking up any debris like broken glass or damaged building materials.
On the other hand, restoration is about returning your home to its pre-loss state. This should be handled by professionals like TN Flood Kings: we have the proper equipment and experience to replace building materials, address mold growth, and renovate the area.
Common Water Damage Cleanup Mistakes to Avoid
Trying to Clean Everything Yourself
There are some things you should never try to address on your own, as you need the right equipment and training to handle them. There are two main types of water damage you should always call TN Flood Kings about.
Flooding: Flood water can contain hazardous waste and pose a serious risk to your health. Removing flood water requires specialized knowledge and protective gear.
If you have flood damage, call us as soon as it’s safe to, and we can start the restoration process.
Sewage: Any burst sewer lines have to be handled by professionals, as they are a huge risk to your health and require extensive safety precautions to avoid illness.
TN Flood Kings are restoration experts with over 15 years of experience, and we’re available 24/7. Call today for a free estimate! For qualifying water damage, we’ll work directly with your insurance agency for total peace of mind.
Not Calling the Insurance Company Right Away
As soon as you see trouble, you should contact your agent so you can begin the insurance claim process. TN Flood Kings will assist with this if the damage is covered by your homeowners insurance.
Failing to Consider Safety Precautions
This is one of the biggest mistakes, and it’s understandable because you want to stop the damage right away. However, your safety is of the utmost importance during the cleanup: while a building can be replaced, you and your loved ones can’t be!
Follow these basic safety precautions every time you prepare to clean up water damage.
Turn off electricity in the area: Always turn off electricity to avoid an electrical shock that could kill you.
Wear protective gear: At the very least, you should wear closed-toe shoes, safety goggles, and gloves that reach the forearm. You can purchase protective suits from your local hardware store to ensure you’re totally covered.
Never work under a compromised ceiling or on a compromised floor: If the ceiling is crumbling or the floor feels spongy, don’t try to handle this water damage yourself. The ceiling could fall on you, or you could fall through the floor.
TN Flood Kings will be able to stabilize the structure before working in the area.
Don’t work in flood waters or sewage backup: Never try to deal with contaminated water on your own, as you can become seriously ill.
Not Addressing the Source of the Water Damage
While there are some sources that you can’t stop, like flooding, something like a burst pipe needs to be stopped before we can begin restoration. If you’re not sure what’s causing it, please call TN Flood Kings: we can find the source and stop it right away.
Not Drying Out the Affected Area Quickly Enough
Any time you have standing water, you risk mold growth and extensive water damage to the structure of your home.
The instant that you notice water in the area, begin drying everything out using a wet/dry vac, towels, and fans while you wait for TN Flood Kings to arrive.
It’s important that you use the proper equipment, including air movers, in order to ensure you get enough air flow.
Not Cleaning and Sanitizing Properly
Mold is a major concern any time you have excess moisture. After everything is dry, you must launder any fabrics that got wet and use strong disinfectants on every surface, even if it only got a little wet.
Call TN Flood Kings for 24/7 Service!
