Water Damage and Its Consequences
After a flood or any form of water damage in a home or office, steps need to be taken for clean up, recovery, and a return to normal routines. One mistake many people make is to hesitate as they survey their damage. It is normal to feel emotionally overwhelmed by a sense of loss and worry about the future. Be kind to yourself and act as quickly as you can. It will give you a renewed sense of control right when you need it. It will reduce damage to possessions and threats to your health from the continuing presence of mold. You will gain the information you need to make difficult decisions so that you can begin to rebuild.
What Can Be Saved
Items that can easily be saved include things made of glass, plastic, and metals. Glass needs to be thoroughly washed to remove any water stains, dirt deposits, and bacteria. Plastics may need to be disinfected. Sometimes it is better to replace some items for reasons of safety. Metal items may only need cleaned of bacteria, but some might require the removal of oxidation and tarnish.
Clothing can be laundered and often saved. If stains and odd layers appear, or it doesn’t pass a smell test, consider replacing the items.
What Needs To Be Replaced
Many textiles and paper products may need to be removed from the living area. Even objects that have not been submerged in water have almost certainly been exposed to high levels of mold spore and may incubate mold for months afterward. Important papers can be dried out and recovered through careful steps, especially if those steps are taken immediately. The longer it takes to act, the more opportunity develops for further damage to occur.
Many food products should be removed without hovering over them and wondering. Your time is valuable, and so is your health.
The best step to take regarding these losses is to have an accurate inventory available for insurance purposes. File photos and descriptions in a safe storage facility.
Questionable Areas
Questionable areas would include art, furniture, and electronics. Our experience in these areas can reassure you that your valuables can be saved, and which ones have become a danger to your health and wellbeing. Contact us at 480-309-2524.
