Dealing with a flood in your home can be devastating, and it can become overwhelming to know what to do in this case. Many items in your home are susceptible to developing flood damage from situations like natural disasters, burst sewage pipes, or others. While floods can come about sporadically, homeowners can still ensure their items and belongings are saved and restored. Paul Davis Restoration of North Dallas offers the best tips for minimizing damages following a flood and how to make residential flood restoration efforts successful and more efficient.
Furniture
When a flood hits your home, it can damage furniture items like couches and tables. This is because as water sits, it can seep into fabrics and other materials like wood. For fabrics, water can travel deep into cushions and fibers, which can begin to grow mold and mildew. If fabrics are affected by a sewage or plumbing flood, they can hold harmful bacteria and pollutants that can lead to illness. Wooden materials can also soften as water gets into the cracks, as well as develop mildew and mold. This can ruin tables, chairs, and other furniture items.
When it comes to restoration efforts, you can begin by removing lighter items from the water and placing them in a safe, dry area. Items shouldn’t be placed on carpets, as water seeps into carpets and can cause even further damage. You should use caution when lifting heavy items or items located in unsafe areas. In some cases, you may want to rely on restoration professionals to maintain your safety. This is especially true if your flood is caused by sewage or plumbing systems.
It’s important to call your insurance company as soon as possible. This way, you can hire residential storm damage restoration services faster and potentially save sentimental furniture items.
Appliances and Electronics
Appliances and electronics affected by floods are especially susceptible to damage. This is because the inner workings can easily become damaged and unusable after water takes over. Sitting water can also cause metal to rust or corrode, which can severely impact electronics and appliances. For their safety, homeowners should not turn on any appliances or electronics that were affected by a flood. Doing so can put them at risk of starting a fire or more devastating consequences.
In some cases, appliances and electronics can potentially be restored following a flood. But this depends on how quickly you can begin residential water damage restoration efforts following a flood. The quicker you can start restoration, the better your chances are of restoring certain appliances and electronics.
Heating and Electrical Systems
Heating and electrical systems can become severely damaged after a flood occurs. They can also pose dangerous risks immediately following a flood. Sitting water that surrounds electrical systems like outlets and sockets can leave residents at risk of extremely dangerous situations, like electrocution. This is why it’s important to follow certain procedures after experiencing a flood. For example, homeowners should shut off their electrical breakers. This works to turn off the home’s electrical supply, making it safer to enter the premises. Additionally, homeowners should not enter their homes until safety professionals say it is safe to do so.
Building Structures
As water sits around walls and floors, this can leave essential building structures at risk of severe damage. This is because water can get into wall and floor materials, causing it to soften and allowing mold and mildew growth. This means flooding can severely impact the structural integrity of your home, making it unsafe to enter. This also means your home is potentially damaged beyond repair, which can increase restoration expenses or leave you needing a new home altogether. By calling your insurance company as quickly as possible and investing in residential flood restoration services sooner, you can save essential building structures in your home. In turn, this can save costs on water damage restoration efforts.
Rely on Paul Davis Restoration of North Dallas
Hiring the right restoration services in the wake of a flood may not be the first thing on your mind when you experience one. However, calling your insurance company to place a claim can give you the resources necessary to contact a restoration company to begin repairing your home. The sooner you can complete this process, the sooner we can restore your home and its belongings. Located in Carrollton, we serve those across North Dallas and the surrounding areas. To learn more about our residential flood restoration services, contact us today.
