Professionals Who Clean Up Water Damage

2/15/2022 (Permalink)

Have water damage? Call SERVPRO of Oviedo / Winter Springs East.

It's possible to lose everything as a result of water damage, so it's essential to understand what needs to be done if your home or business has water-related damage. These steps will keep you safe and help you prepare for professional technicians to start the water cleanup process in your flooded property.

Unknown Hazards

Water damage’s source is often hard to pinpoint once the water has receded. It can occur for many reasons, but it usually results from a natural flood, a supply line break, or a pipe break. And although it may not be visible to the naked eye, hidden water can cause hidden problems. Moisture can collect just about anywhere—behind walls, within drywall, in furniture, and other porous materials.

Wildlife can also take up residence in a recently flooded area—talk about an unwanted squatter! It's not unusual for critters ranging from rodents to reptiles to be present in a flood situation. Be prepared by wearing boots and other protective clothing. It's also not a bad idea to wear rubber gloves and a vapor respirator if you have one.

Contaminated liquids can pose a threat to your safety, too. This is a concern with a supply line break and a pipe break and is why you must exercise extreme caution when entering an area that has been recently flooded.

Safety Measures

If you must enter an area that has been recently flooded, make sure that the electricity has been turned off. Electric wires and outlets may still present some safety issues, making it possible to be electrocuted, so err on the side of caution to prevent injury. A restoration company makes mitigation a priority, especially when it comes to safety, and water cleanup is usually that priority in disaster situations.

Restoration Professionals

Cleaning up flood waters should not be a DIY project. A restoration company is qualified with knowledge and resources to make sure you’re not missing hidden damage. A professional will be prepared to determine what items in a flooded home are beyond salvaging and which are cleanable. Items like mattresses, box springs, particleboard, and pillows hold more moisture than other items and generally have to be thrown away. We recommend you record and itemize any lost items for insurance purposes. 

The Process

A professional restoration company comes into a flooded home or business with mitigation as a top priority. Through the use of specialized moisture detector meters, they search for hidden pockets of wetness behind deceptively dry surfaces and remove them. These pockets are then exposed and dried. Part of restoration includes dry-ice pressure blasting areas where moisture was present to prevent and/or eliminate microbial growth. Professional technicians also have tools that speed up the drying process to prevent more bacteria and mold growth.

Make Sure the Company is Certified

Make sure the restoration company that you hire is certified through a reputable organization. Anytime you have standing water in your home or standing water in your business for a prolonged amount of time, there will be damage. However, acting quickly and calling a professional company is the best approach for proper mitigation and restoration. If you have water damage and need assistance, SERVPRO of Oviedo / Winter Springs East is Here to Help®. Call (407) 542-0000 today.