Nine Things a Homeowner Should Never Do When Assessing Water Damage
Jeffrey Stiefel • Aug 07, 2020
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When homeowners discover water damage, it can be difficult to think clearly. The first impulse is often to locate the source of the leak and then stop the flow of water into the home before any more damage can be done. However, it is vital that homeowners do not make potentially dangerous missteps as they try to determine the scope of the damage. Here are nine things a property owner should never do when faced with a water damage situation.
1. Do not forget or ignore the principle of putting safety first.
When assessing water damage, the property owner should never forget the important principle of putting safety first. Forgetting or ignoring this principle could lead to serious physical injury or further damage to the home.
2. Do not wear slippery shoes.
Do not walk on wet floors with slippery shoes. Wear boots or shoes with non-slip soles. A broken bone or hip is worse than a broken supply line to the washing machine.
3. Do not walk barefoot through water.
Expensive shoes will dry out, or they can be restored. Bare feet or sock feet offer little or no traction. Cutting one or both feet on broken glass transforms the water damage scene into a potential biohazard clean up. The presence of body fluids at a water damage event may require a special set of precautions for the technicians, thus complicating the process.
4. Do not explore flooded areas that are dark or dimly lit.
Knocking over a shelf, table, or lamp could introduce glass, toxic chemicals, or electricity into the equation. Grab a flashlight or use the light from a smartphone to light a path through the home.
5. Do not touch light switches, receptacles, appliances, or electronics while standing in water.
Once the water source is identified and the flow is stopped, carefully consider whether it is safe or not to touch anything electrical before professionals trained to deal with water damage events arrive on the scene.
6. Do not walk or wade into basement water.
If the outlets are not GFCI-receptacles, a homeowner could be one step away from electrocution. Wading into water that is too deep or too dimly lit to see the floor could cause a fall. Being stranded in a dark basement in a foot of murky water that could be contaminated with raw sewage, toxic chemicals, or gray water while waiting for first responders to come to the rescue is not a desirable outcome. It is possible to be electrocuted in a flooded basement while the power is off. If a neighbor is running a generator in a nearby house, electricity can flow back into the system and cause injury or death up to several houses away.
7. Do not delay locating the leak and shutting off the water.
Unnecessary delay or neglect in locating the leak and shutting off the water supply may invalidate the insurance coverage for the damage. The homeowner should demonstrate due diligence to address the cause of the problem and begin the water damage restoration process immediately. Allowing a toilet to overflow for hours or failing to turn off the valve when a supply line to the washer breaks may compel the insurance company to refuse to pay the claim. The homeowner should make every effort to stop the leak at the source or call in a professional or utility company to shut off the water.
8. Do not delay contacting a water damage restoration company.
The best scenario is to call the damage restoration company
while searching for the source of the water leak. A competent service provider should be able to have a crew on the scene within the hour or less. Upon arrival, the damage assessment technician will identify the source of the leak and turn off the water.
Night Owl Express will walk the customer through the insurance claims process beginning with the initial call to the insurance company, if needed. After the damage is assessed, an estimate is presented to the homeowner, and the work can begin upon approval. The process takes only a short amount of time, and extraction, removal, and drying can begin.
9. Do not be stressed.
The experts at Night Owl Express are well-trained, certified, and experienced in water, fire, and storm damage restoration and repair. They understand the importance of moving the process along quickly to prevent further damage and to prevent mold from growing in the home. Since 1979, the team at Night Owl Express has been taking care of the property damage needs of Clinton Township, MI.
For more information about water damage restoration services, visit the Night Owl Express website at https://www.nightowlexpresscarpetcleaning.com. Contact the office by phone at (586) 792-4695 or by email at info@nightowlexpresscarpetcleaning.com.
What to Expect During the Water Damage Repair Process Experiencing residential or commercial water damage can be an overwhelming ordeal. Not only will it create a mess that damages property, but its effects can lead to hazardous mold growth. It helps to understand how your home or business can sustain water damage and the risks of neglecting damage. By learning how the restoration process occurs, you will know what you need to do if a flood or leak occurs at your residence or workplace. If you need help fast, water damage repair and restoration from Night Owl Express Cleaning & Restoration Services will restore your property to a livable condition.
Night Owl Express of Macomb County, MI, explains the consequences of failing to deal quickly with a water damage disaster.
Night Owl Express Carpet Cleaning helps property owners know when water-damaged carpet needs to be replaced.
A water damage incident occurs about every nine seconds. Dealing with water-logged carpet, a collapsed ceiling, wet furniture, and soggy heirlooms is stressful and often emotionally overwhelming. The home is special; it is where memories are made and kept. When those memories are damaged or lost, it is painful. Competent, gentle, and caring hands are required to restore delicate and precious belongings. When water damage occurs, time is critical. Stopping the flow of water, assessing the damage, and beginning the restoration process as soon as possible is crucial because delays allow the damage to become more severe and to spread, especially if the water flow is not stopped. When a water damage disaster happens in Macomb County, the water damage restoration company to call is Night Owl Express. The certified specialists care about the people they serve and are prepared to assist homeowners by restoring damaged property to its original condition. Property damage disasters disrupt life, interrupt schedules, and cause emotional stress. Homeowners can gain confidence and peace of mind from knowing that trusted, competent, and compassionate professionals are walking beside them throughout the recovery process. Night Owl Express Is Prepared When the Night Owl Express restoration experts arrive at the client’s home or business, they are prepared to handle every facet of the restoration process. The team’s restoration specialties include: Water damage Flood damage Sewage overflows and backups Odor control Wind damage Vandalism Having a variety of services and specialties in the restoration toolbox is important because many types of damage are interconnected. Wind damage can cause structural damage that results in a home or business being exposed to water damage. Sewage overflows and backups involve water, toxic wastes, and odor control. A sewage overflow or backup highlights the importance of hiring a restoration company that has refined and perfected its cleaning technology and techniques. The best teams use superior cleaning solutions to sanitize and disinfect the area affected by the sewage incident. Night Owl Express’ expertise sets the company apart as the top choice for a water damage restoration expert in Macomb County, MI. The Night Owl Express Staff is Friendly and Courteous The Night Owl Express team is thoroughly vetted, and team members have undergone background checks. Technicians wear company uniforms and greet clients with a warm smile, a cheerful attitude, and a genuine desire to help people restore their homes or businesses. Night Owl Express Has Years of Experience With over sixty-five years of combined experience, Night Owl Express offers the breadth of knowledge and expertise that makes the company an industry leader in the Macomb County area. The staff has researched the latest methods and products available on the market in order to deliver the results expected from the best professionals in the industry. Each van is outfitted with cutting-edge equipment and technology to ensure the best damage restoration outcome and customer experience. Night Owl Express is able to tackle all water damage restoration and cleaning needs with professionalism and care. Certifications Night Owl Express has achieved the highest level of professional property damage restoration certifications. Over the years, the company has cultivated a vibrant culture of continuing education that culminates in professional certifications that validate the team’s training and expertise. Night Owl Express has proudly achieved the following professional certifications: Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians Association of Specialists in Cleaning & Restoration Institute of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration Certification Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Institute National Institute of Disaster Restoration Water Loss Institute Carpet and Rug Institute Inc. Gold Seal Service Provider Conclusion The professionals at Night Owl Express care about their customers, and they want each client to be satisfied with the prompt, reliable service they provide. From the beginning of the process to the completion of the restoration project, the company assists homeowners and insurance companies. Experience, certifications, state-of-the-art technology, and commitment to customer service make Night Owl Express the all-around best choice for water and property damage restoration in the Macomb County area of Michigan. For more information about water damage restoration services, visit the Night Owl Express website at https://www.nightowlexpresscarpetcleaning.com . Contact the office by phone at (586) 792-4695 or by email at info@nightowlexpresscarpetcleaning.com .