Did your home recently flood? Did a burst pipe get out of control? Treating water damage as soon as possible is critical to preventing mold growth. If left untreated, mold leads to allergies, headaches, and skin irritation. Don’t fall victim to the overwhelming process of treating water damage. Here are some handy water removal tips to keep in mind:
1. Turn off the Electricity to the House
As you learned in school, water and electricity don’t mix. So, before you enter a room that has excess water, you need to shut off the electricity. If you’re unfamiliar with how to do this, take the time to find out. This will make you better prepared for when the unexpected happens.
When you do this, wear rubber gloves and boots. The more protective gear you have on, the more you reduce your risk of electric shock or electrocution. Don’t risk it if it’s too dangerous to turn off yourself. Instead, call an electrician for help. They’re familiar with how to turn off electricity safely after a flood.
2. Pump the Water Out Gradually
Immediately following a flood, your first instinct is to remove water as quickly as possible. However, doing so may backfire on you.
If you’re using a pump to remove water, pump it out slowly and gradually. Pumping water too quickly could lead to structural damage – or worse, a structural collapse. That’s the last thing you want to deal with after a flood.
3. Remove all Water-Logged Items from the House
It’s not enough to simply remove water from your home. You have to remove water-logged items as well. To name a few, this includes wooden furniture, rugs, and couches. Floodwater contains harmful contaminants, so wear the proper protective gear as you remove everything.
Once you put it outside, bag up as much as you can. Because of the bacteria, you’ll have to dispose of it properly.
4. Open the Doors and Windows to Get a Cross Breeze
While removing water, you must get a cross breeze to help combat mold growth. Unfortunately, mold grows in as little as 24 hours after water damage. Opening your doors and windows can help start the drying process to prevent a more significant issue down the time.
This also goes for plugging in a dehumidifier. This will pull excess moisture from the air that could otherwise lead to mold growth.
5. Expect Mold
Though the above tips are supposed to combat mold growth, the reality is you will have mold after a severe Portland flood.
While you should still follow the tips above, be realistic about the potential for mold growth. As such, you need to know who to call when it develops. A mold remediation company treats and kills mold at the source. A call to them is your best resource in the fight against mold growth.
Call a Water Removal Company for Help
In addition to calling someone to treat mold (which is a service we proudly offer), you need to know who to call for proper water removal.
Floods are not a common occurrence. As a result, when they happen, Portland homeowners may be ill-equipped to handle them alone. You may lack the equipment you need, like water pumps and dehumidifiers. Or the damage may be too severe to tackle on your own.
Knowing who to call after a flood or some sort of water damage is critical to combating structural damage to your home. A water removal company will assess the damage, make the necessary repairs, and get rid of excess water safely and efficiently.
Portland Homeowners Need to Call PNW Restoration for All Their Water Removal Needs
Did your home recently suffer water damage? Sometimes you can’t take care of it yourself or don’t want to. Either way, a call to PNW Restoration can help.
Our water removal technicians know how to remove water from your Portland home safely. We have all the equipment and skills necessary to assess and treat the damage. We offer 24/7 emergency response as well. So, if you experience a flood, you don’t have to wait until morning to get the help you need.
Don’t face the aftermath of flood damage by yourself. Call the water damage remediation pros at PNW Restoration for help. A member of our staff is standing by to answer all your questions. We can be reached at 971-247-3470. We’re here to help you.
