Water Damage Restoration Tips for Storm-Prone Areas
As many people living in storm-prone areas will tell you, the real challenge starts once the storm has passed. A single storm can leave untold damage in its wake and many people struggle to piece together their lives after such events.
After a storm, you'll try to salvage what's left behind but you may not even know where to start. However, there are certain steps that you can take to make the water damage restoration process simpler.
Move What You Can to Higher Ground
During and after a storm, it's the items in the lower section of the house that are most at risk. Even if the rainfall wasn't that much, floodwaters from other areas could still find their way into your home. It's important to limit the exposure of your items to the water. Try and get as much of your stuff as possible to the higher levels of your home.
Always Have a Water Pump Ready
Before any other work can continue, you'll have to get rid of as much of the water as possible. Water can pool in the lower sections of your house, especially the basement. Removing this water can be close to impossible without a water pump. Depending on how common storms are in your area, it could be a good idea to have your own pump ready should it ever flood. Waiting to hire one when all your neighbors need one is not a good idea.
Time Is of the Essence
If you need to salvage items that have been exposed to water, it's important to remember that time will be the most important factor in most cases. Most items can survive getting wet, but if they're left damp for a considerable period, it becomes much harder to salvage or restore the item. Try and dry items and areas of your house that were exposed to water as quickly as possible.
Hire the Right Team
Depending on house serious the damage is, you may need the help of a restoration company like Puroclean Certified Restoration Specialist. This is especially true to salvage items such as important documents and photographs. The success of restoration efforts relies heavily on the skills and experience of the team you hire. Do some prior research to identify a good restoration company near you. You can also ask neighbors who've lived in the area for a longer period. This could be the key to surviving the next storm with minimal damage.