Handling Water Damage in Chagrin Falls, Ohio
3/6/2017 (Permalink)
Water damage is often something that people do not think much about in their daily lives. Often they believe it is something that happens to people who live in flood-prone areas, or places known to be afflicted by severe storms. However, this is often not the case; damage in a home or business occurs for a great many reasons. When it happens, time is of the essence because attending to water in the home or business in three days or less prevents the growth of poisonous mold.
Aside from large-scale weather-related disasters, there are several common causes of water damaging a home or business. • Broken pipes or hoses • Overflowing bathtubs or toilets • Sewer backup • Extended periods of high humidity in the basement Some of these problems are easy to prevent with careful maintenance. Other occurrences that lead to damage are completely out of a home or business owner’s hands. • Power outages causing water removal pump failure • Damage caused while attending to a fire • Flash floods, those located in Ohio who are living in the vicinity of the Chagrin River know how something as simple as a spring thaw can cause excessive flood damage rather rapidly.
When faced with water causing damage in a home or business, the first thing to remember is to call for help immediately. Waiting to seek help while trying to remedy the situation will only make the damage worse. Persons faced with water damage need the assistance of professionals who act right away and use cutting-edge gear and methods to remove the water rapidly.
There are many choices of professionals who remedy water damage in the Bainbridge, Chagrin Falls, and Chardon Oh area. Here are a few tips to help find the right company to help. • 24/7 availability, time matters when water destruction occurs so constant availability is important. • Highly trained professionals who understand the facets of air movement, drying, and water cleanup. Certification from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) provides the peace of mind that the restoration company will provide quality work from knowledgeable technicians. Whether it is water in the home or water in the business, having a technician who is skilled in mitigation is important; this is no time for amateurs to try their skills. • A restoration company which is licensed, insured, and bonded for the protection of the client and the restoration professional. • Good customer reviews are helpful, but time is of the essence so it is best to have the number of a highly regarded professional before damage has occurred. Once the water restoration professionals are on the way, there are still things the home or business owner can do to start the water cleanup process. Before considering doing any tasks, be sure the home or business is safe.
The primary concerns when thinking about safety are electrical hazards and the possibility of slipping and falling. Also, use caution when lifting wet materials; they are quite heavy and often difficult to move.
After determining the safety of the home or business, here are a few things which will help facilitate mitigation. • Mop and/or blot excess water • Remove loose items from the floor • Remove art objects or other irreplaceable items • Place wood blocks or aluminum foil between furniture legs and wet carpet • Prop up wet upholstery and furniture cushions • Remove rugs from wet carpeting • Turn on the air conditioner to help with air movement and drying There are also several things not to do after a home or business sustains damage from water. • Do not leave wet fabrics in place • Do not use a household vacuum to try and remove water; attempting this is extremely dangerous and even potentially fatal. • Do not use household appliances • Do not use televisions • Do not enter areas with sagging ceilings • Do not turn on ceiling fans or ceiling light fixtures if the ceiling appears to be wet • Do not allow rugs or any other colored items on carpeting Caring for your important contents is particularly important when there is water in the business or home.
A good restoration company can help customers with the overwhelming task of repairing and reclaiming valuables. This is especially crucial when the process involves critical documents or irreplaceable photos which sustained damage. It is important to remember that some damage can be so extensive that restoring the documents is impossible.
However, there are several techniques to speak with your restoration specialist about when documents or photographs incurred damaged. Placing your documents or photographs is your restoration specialists' hands greatly increases the chances that these can be salvaged. • Dehumidification • Air Dry • Freezer Dry • Vacuum Thermal Dry • Vacuum Freeze Dry Occasionally, it is necessary to remove all residents and possessions from a home or business which has sustained damage.
If this should happen it is important to have a restoration company which is prepared to help with organizing, packing, and moving the belongings. There are several reasons that a complete move out is a good idea in situations which require extensive repair and restoration. • Avoid potential exposure to mold • Protecting surviving items from possible damage • A faster remodeling process • Protecting contents from causing damage to the home or business • Increasing the safety of all people who live or work in the damaged location • Providing peace of mind that everything is as safe as possible and under the care of professionals.
Mold is something to be particularly cautious around. Because things like mold and mildew can enter your home quickly, take care to avoid contact with any mold. Any items in the home or business which can soak up liquids have the potential to contain mold. No one expects to have flood damage touch their homes or their businesses. Unforeseen disasters, accidents, and carelessness can occur and wreak havoc on people's lives and possessions. If you live in Ohio, especially the areas in and around Bainbridge, Chagrin Falls, or Chardon, OH. there are qualified professionals available to help. Visit http://www.SERVPROgeaugacounty.com for more information on water damage restoration.