What Not to Do After a Flood In Your Tarzana and Reseda Home

10/14/2021 (Permalink)

If you have experienced a flood or any type of water damage in Tarzana/Reseda, SERVPRO can help get your home back to its pre-flood condition. Give

During a storm, flood water can invade your home and cause water damage to your property. Once the storm has passed, you can return to assess the damage and begin the cleanup process. Here are three things you should NOT do when returning to the site of a flood.

1. Make Contact With the Water
   Flood water can contain many different types of contaminants including bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and debris. Help protect your skin by wearing rubber boots and gloves and keeping your hands and face from making contact with the water. If contact occurs, wash immediately with soap and clean water.
2. Enter Standing Water 
   After a flood, homes, yards, streets, and other areas can be covered in standing water. Powerful winds often accompany heavy storms, so it is not uncommon to find downed power lines after a storm. Since water from a flood is usually murky, you cannot always tell what lies beneath the surface. If the water has been electrically charged, you could experience an electric shock if you enter a flooded home.
3. Let the Water Sit
   The longer water stays sitting the longer it has to grow bacteria. When items are left to sit in water for long periods of time, the structural integrity of those items can begin to break down. The water should be safely extracted as soon as possible. Cleaning the water faster, you can help to prevent further water damage to your home. Since mold can begin forming in as little as 24 hours, it is important to begin the drying process as soon as the water has been extracted.

By following a few precautions, you can help keep yourself safe from the dangers of floodwater.