When your home floods, it’s tough to know what you should – and shouldn’t – do. This guide explains five things you should never do if your home floods (and why).
5 Things NOT to Do if Your Home Floods
The first thing you should do if your home floods is call a disaster remediation expert who can help. Your remediation expert will take most of the stress out of the process for you – they’ll handle everything so you can relax and focus on other things.
But in the meantime, here are five things you should never do if your home floods:
- Leave wet fabrics in place
- Leave books, magazines or colored rugs on wet carpet or floors
- Use a household vacuum to remove water
- Use appliances
- Turn on ceiling fixtures or use rooms with sagging ceilings
Here’s a closer look at each.
#1. Never leave wet fabrics in place
Don’t leave wet fabrics where they are. Remove them from their locations and hang them up to dry. If you have upholstered furniture, move it to a dry and safe location and tilt it so it can drain more easily.
#2. Never leave books, magazines or colored rugs on wet carpet or floors
Books and magazines can stick to your floors, or worse, bleed ink on them. Rugs can bleed colors on your carpet, too, so if any of these things are on your floors, remove them right away.
#3. Never use a household vacuum to remove water
It’s dangerous to use a household vacuum to remove water (unless you have a specific wet/dry vacuum – but even then, you should avoid using electricity in your home when it’s flooded).
#4. Never use appliances
Don’t turn on any of your appliances. If things are plugged in, you should leave the house and wait for professional help.
#5. Never turn on ceiling fixtures or use rooms with sagging ceilings
Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet – and don’t enter any rooms that have sagging ceilings. The ceiling could collapse, so it’s not safe to do so until you get the all-clear from a professional.
Do You Need a Disaster Remediation Expert in Washtenaw County or Jackson County?
If your home has already been damaged, we can help. Check out our services and call 517-262-3770 for your free disaster remediation quote today. We offer:
