You may be surprised to learn that there are several things you should avoid after a flooding event in your home or business. It’s important to take precautions to ensure your safety and prevent further damage to the building – even the possibility of fire damage. By following these guidelines, you can ensure the water restoration process goes by quickly, without any delays or additional troubles.

As tempting as it may be to enter the building to recover belongings, it’s a serious safety hazard. Walking on wet surfaces can be a serious safety hazard because of the likelihood of slipping and falling. Especially when everything is still wet, it can be difficult to catch yourself and stop a fall.

Avoid turning on the electricity or using any home appliances until a certified electrician has given the OK. The whole home or business should be thoroughly inspected after water damage services have restored the property, including appliances, to ensure they are safe to use and have not come in contact with any water.

It goes without saying that water and electricity don’t mix well, and using appliances without inspection is a recipe for disaster. After the flooding or water leak has been fixed, you don’t want to cause a fire or get electrocuted.

The best thing that you can do to prevent water damage is to prevent situations that might cause the issue. While we never plan for an accident, you can still take preventative measures that will save you time, money, and stress dealing with water damage. This is particularly true in areas of the home or business that are prone to water damage or flooding.

If the space has a history of flooding, especially on lower levels or areas that are underground and frequently exposed to saturated ground, it may be beneficial to install a sump pump. This pump can help remove excess water out of the home and prevent flooding.

Regular maintenance of your pipes can help prevent old pipes from bursting or leaking; frequent inspections can identify areas of concern and replace the pipe safely before it becomes a larger problem. Likewise, proper winterization is beneficial for exterior pipes exposed to colder temperatures.

Surprisingly, keeping downspouts and gutters clear can also help you minimize water damage to the home during heavy rains. As the rain enters the gutters, it can flow freely without interference from leaves and other outdoor debris; this ensures the rainwater is properly redirected into the yard, rather than spilling over the top and falling directly at the building’s foundation.

Ensuring windows have a proper seal can also prevent rainwater from entering the home or business. As rain runs down the side of the building, gaps or cracks in the window seal can allow water and moisture inside, causing water damage over time.

The time it takes for water damage to dry varies based on the extent of the damage, the temperature, and the location inside the building.

The extent of the damage can change the timeline, as the longer the water sits before it is removed, the more saturated materials are. In effect, this extends the time it will take to get the moisture out again. Temperature is an important factor to consider, as warmer temperatures will aid the drying process, allowing water to evaporate faster, and cooler temperatures will slow the process down.

It helps to have proper drying equipment, which a professional restoration company will have as this is an integral part of their water damage restoration process. Industrial-strength fans, dehumidifiers, and shop vacs can all aid water removal and help significantly speed up the drying process. Furthermore, a water restoration company will have humidity and moisture meters to ensure the area is fully dried out.

The location inside the building can make a big difference as well, as a small, windowless interior room will have less air flow than an exterior room with access to the outdoors in the form of a window or door.