What should be your Main Concerns when Flooding occurs?

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

Easily recognize the dangers after water damage and take proactive measures to address each issue.

If you wake up to find yourself ankle-deep in water, what are the dangers and what should you do?

• Risk of electrical shock – Be careful because we all know that water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Looking at this picture, you can see plugged chords dangling in the water. This presents a high risk for electrical shock. It is important to stay out of the area and keep others, children and pets away as well.
• The danger of slip and fall – Walking on a hard flooring surface like wood, tile, or cement when wet can definitely be a slippery hazard. Again, clearing everyone from the room until everything is dry is highly recommended.
• Are harmful bacteria present in the water? – One of our first questions after a flood call is to find out the water source. Is it from groundwater where the soil is present along with possible traces of animal feces mixed in? Did a toilet overflow or sewage backup cause the flooding? For your own protection, do not walk in these areas. If the source is unknown initially, call our technicians to help make the determination of the source.
• Can expensive wood floors be saved? – If the water source is a clean one and you call in the professionals right away, specialty drying equipment can be used to restore instead of replacing the costly materials. Please note: not every restoration company uses the same protocol, so ask!
• How soon do you need to take action? – The answer for both whether if the water source is clean or dirty is to act immediately by calling a reputable company that will recommend an IICRC protocol based on your circumstances. Any delays could result in mold issues later… call SERVPRO of West Covina and we will respond right away.