What To Avoid After A Flood in your Fruita Property

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Flooded Houses

During a storm, flood water can invade your home and cause considerable damage to your property. However, your main priority should always be to get yourself, your family members, and your pets to safety. Once the storm has passed, you can return to assess the damage and begin the cleanup process. Here are four things you should avoid doing when returning to a flood site.

Make Contact With the Water

Floodwater can contain many different contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and debris. Help protect your skin from dangerous water by wearing rubber boots and gloves and keeping your hands and face from contact with the water. If contact occurs despite your best efforts, wash immediately with soap and clean water.

Enter Standing Water

After a flood, homes, yards, streets, and other areas can be covered in standing water. Powerful winds often accompany heavy storms, so it is not uncommon to find downed powerlines after a storm. Since water from a flood is usually murky, you cannot always tell what lies beneath the surface. If the water has been electrically charged, you could experience an electric shock if you enter a flooded home. Rubber boots will help protect against the risk of electrocution.

Use appliances

Use extreme caution when returning to your home after a flood. Appliances that may have been flooded pose a risk of shock or fire. Do not use any devices, heating, pressure, or sewage system until electrical components have been thoroughly cleaned, dried, and inspected by a qualified electrician. By following a few precautions, you can help keep yourself safe from the dangers of floodwater.

Let the Water Sit

The longer water sits, the more time bacteria have to multiply. When items are left to sit in water for long periods, the structural integrity of those items can begin to break down. Therefore the water should be safely extracted as soon as possible. By cleaning the water faster, you can help lessen any water damage to your home. Since mold can begin forming in as little as 24 to 48 hours, it is essential to start the drying process as soon as the water has been extracted.

If you have experienced a flood or water damage in Redlands, Colorado, a professional flood restoration company can help get your home back to its pre-flood condition. Give SERVPRO of Grand Junction a call at 970-241-8181.

Authored by: Chafika and James Landers

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