Response Steps To Minimize Water Damage

Flooding can happen for any number of reasons. Every home in Indianapolis needs water access and is exposed from time to time to the elements. Because of the universality of water in homes, it follows logically that water getting in the wrong places would also be one of the most common problems. Did you know that 98% of basements in the United States will have water damage at some point in their lifetimes? It’s a bummer, but no matter what kind of precautions you take to protect your home, you are at risk of suffering a flood. So, you’re in the middle of it? Take a deep breath and follow these quick response steps that we at Total Restoration GC want to introduce to minimize water damage from water flooding:

1. Call help right away. That way, they can be on their way and you can be sure that you are going about restoration in a safe, proper way. You can also ask while you’re right there on the phone for tips and things you ought to do (in relation to your specific situation) until they arrive. Nothing better than having a defined plan of attack! 
2. Take safety precautions. Make sure you, your loved ones, and pets exercise caution with water, especially if it may be contaminated. There are several levels of water contamination set forth by the EPA, but the most important takeaway from these is that water that doesn’t look contaminated can still have harmful bacteria and spores if it came from a questionable source. In addition, remember to turn off your water and power to the affected areas. 
3. Protect your belongings. If you have things that have objective or sentimental value to you or your family, scoop these things up and store them away in a safe, dry place so that they won’t be exposed to water. Remove rugs or loose articles from the floor as these can cause staining to your carpet or floor. In addition, the less “stuff” you have lying around wet, the faster the restoration process will be and the less chance you have of falling victim to musty smells or mold growth. It can be helpful to put a dry layer (some plywood, plastic, or foil) between legs of furniture and wet ground to prevent water seeping into the legs and deforming it. 
4. Begin water removal. Follow any specific instructions that were given when you were on the phone when you called for help. Don’t do anything potentially dangerous. If the flooding is serious, you can use buckets. Sometimes, wringing towels can be your best option. Before you begin actually moving water, though, do a quick analysis of where the water is coming from, so that you can attempt to fix that problem before you begin grunt work. 

As you go about these steps, help will be on its way. Total Restoration General Contractors in Indianapolis has 24 hour emergency flood services, so don’t hesitate to call. Almost everyone experiences a flood in their home at some point. Follow this plan to perfectly execute your response!