Flood Damage Cleanup: Assess The Damage Before The Cleanup
By Isolde Werry
The flood damage cleanup process can be tough. You might be just looking around your property with all these questions in your mind. How am I going to cleanup this mess? Where should I even begin? Do I need to hire a flood damage cleanup professional? What if it proves to be too costly? What if I can't afford it?
As they say the solution is in the problem itself. Effective flood damage cleanup will depend on your assessment of the damage done. If the assessment of the damage is well-done, then the flood damage cleanup process will be more effective. Based on your assessment you will be able to decide whether you can do the cleanup yourself or if you will need the help of a flood damage cleanup professional. Which are the things which you can save? Which things should you throw away?
Here are a few tips which can help you assess the extent of the flood damage:
1. Before you do anything, switch off the main power supply. You do not want to be electrocuted while assessing the damage. Have it looked by an experienced electrician. Switch on electrical items only when the professional has declared it as safe.
2. While making the assessment, put on protective gear. Use gloves, goggles, and boots and if possible even a respirator.
3. If your house is covered for insurance you might want to take a few pictures for later use. It can come in handy while discussing the issue with your insurance adjuster.
4. Check to see if there is a possibility of more water coming inside your house. If there is, then try and see if you can set up some temporary blockages to prevent more water from coming into your house.
5. Check the attic. If there are items which have been extensively damaged due to the flood, throw them away. You don't want them to damage the items which can be saved during the flood damage cleanup.
6. Check the insulation to see if it can be restored. Or is it too heavily soaked? If it is heavily soaked, you will probably not be able to save it.
7. Check your ceilings. Will simple cleanup and drying processes help in restoring it? Or are they so extensively damaged that only a professional can repair it?
8. Check your carpets. If they are tacked or glued to the floor, then it might not be a good idea to work on it on your own. Hire a professional for cleaning up the carpet. If the carpet can be taken out, then just roll it and take it outside.
9. Check your furniture. Can you save them by do-it-yourself methods? Or maybe they are too extensively damaged. If they are, you might need a professional.
10. Check your kitchen. Are the kitchen appliances extensively damaged too? If yes, you might have to replace them.
11. If the flood water has too many contaminants, then you will need to assess if extensive disinfection is required. If yes, hiring a professional will be good idea.
There are many factors which will need to be considered while making the assessment. These tips will help you get started with your flood damage cleanup.
About the author
Isolde Werry is a homeowner advocate on water damage for Chicago Flood Damage Cleanup and Chicago, IL Flood Damage Cleanup from http://www.FreeArticlesAndContent.com
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