Flooding can happen at a moment’s notice, and the aftermath can be massive and unpredictable. While water damage needs immediate treatment, it may not be a smart move to perform the restoration process on your own. In the long run, it may even cause further damage to your property. Only professionals such as ServiceMaster by Wright can perform the right cleanup that your property needs.
Learn about the dangers of do-it-yourself flood damage restoration and discover why it is better to leave the job to the experts.
Common Mistakes During DIY Flood Cleanup
- Failure to recognize the dangers of flood damage. The effect of flood damage to a property should not be underestimated. Water damage can be very hard to detect, especially without an expert's help. It may not look like a problem on the surface, but a more serious issue may lie underneath.
- Delaying cleanup. Water damage will escalate over time, which makes immediate cleanup necessary. Wood, for example, will swell up. Wallpaper will start peeling away and paint will bubble. Over time, water can also affect the structural integrity of a building, and cause mold and mildew growth. If mold takes root, it may be hard to remove and may even spread to other areas of your property, causing multiple health risks to those exposed to it. In addition, flood water can also contain bacteria and sewage, which makes it even more dangerous.
- Utilizing the wrong equipment. Water damage comes in different classes and categories, each of which requires specific cleanup and restoration methods and equipment. Mops and towels alone won't do the trick. Professionals use state-of-the-art equipment to perform restoration, such as the following:
- Air scrubber - helps improve the quality of indoor air
- Dehumidifier - removes moisture from the environment more thoroughly than a fan
- Extraction tool - also known as a flood pumper, it is used to dispatch a huge volume of water per minute
- Heavy-duty fan - used to dry out water in large rooms or confined spaces
- Moisture probe - utilized to determine where moisture is located
- Specialize drying systems - helps save walls and floors and helps avoid replacements
- Overlooking small details. One of the risks of DIY flood damage restoration is missing tiny details which may end up costing you a lot of money later on. Only experts such as ServiceMaster by Wright can perform a thorough inspection and assessment of your damaged property to ensure that nothing is overlooked and everything is accounted for.
- Ignoring dangers in a flooded home. Some of the dangers that floodwaters can bring are:
- Bacterial or sewage contamination. As mentioned, flood waters can contain bacteria and sewage which makes it harmful to building occupants. Even if the water is clean, it may not stay clean for too long.
- Unsteady footing. Water damage can soften, loosen, or make floors swell, which may make them unstable.
- Presence of broken glass and other debris. There's a large chance that flood waters could introduce broken glass, metal fragments, and other debris into your property. If there is a need to get in contact with the water, proper protective equipment must be worn.
- Loose wiring. Fallen power lines can cause damage to your own electrical system, and floodwaters may carry the risk of electrical shock. Turn off the main power switch when a flood occurs and stay away from potential electrical hazards.
- Gas leaks and explosions. To minimize the risk of gas leaks and explosions, be sure to turn off gas or propane sources, as flood damage may affect gas and propane lines.
- Displaced wildlife. Floodwaters may cause animals such as snakes and rats to seek shelter in your home or building.
- Overlooking small details. One of the risks of DIY flood damage restoration is missing tiny details which may end up costing you a lot of money later on. Only experts such as ServiceMaster by Wright can perform a thorough inspection and assessment of your damaged property to ensure that nothing is overlooked and everything is accounted for.
AVOID DIY FLOOD REPAIRS
Contact ServiceMaster by Wright, Southwest Florida’s Water Damage Restoration Company
Professionals know the proper way to handle your flood damage problem. ServiceMaster by Wright is a trusted general contractor in Southwest Florida offering superior water damage restoration services for both residential and commercial properties. We have a wide range of services including water leak detection, thermal imaging, water removal,structural drying, dehumidification, construction and repairs, and sewage backup cleaning. We are an IICRC-certified firm, upholding restoration and cleanup practices that have met globally recognized standards. Our restoration specialists are licensed, fully bonded and fully trained to perform the needed restoration, cleanup and repair when your property has been flooded by a roof leak, an appliance malfunction, or a natural disaster and other causes. ServiceMaster by Wright is also a Preferred Vendor for insurance companies in Florida, enabling us to assist policyholders after a flood or water damage incident.
Contact ServiceMaster by Wright at (239) 431-9947 or connect with us online to schedule an appointment. We service customers from Bradenton to Marco Island, Florida. Our Emergency Response Team is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
