11 Mar Essential Safety Tips for Water Damage Cleanup
Every year, 1 in 50 homes is affected by water damage. It is much more common than most people realize. You need to be cautious, regardless of whether it is caused by flooding, storms, broken pipes, or damage to your roof. Water damage can pose a serious health risk. Standing water can often contain mold, sewage, or other debris. Before you go near standing water, it is important to assess the extent of the damage. Here are some top tips from experts to help you stay safe in case of water damage.
Types of water damage
There are many causes of water damage. The danger of standing water is affected by whether it is caused by rain, or a burst pipe. Long Beach Water Damage Restoration Specialists generally break down water damage into different categories according to the water’s cleanliness. It is likely that the cause of the damage will impact the category it ends in.
Clean Water
This is measured at “Category 1”. This is the smallest type of water damage. This is because the water is free from particles and debris. People who drink the water are unlikely to experience any side effects. This water can also be dried easily.
Grey Water
This is the category 2 water damage. This happens with sump pumps, washing machines, and toilets. Although this type of water damage needs to be disinfected, it can be used as a way to protect people from getting in contact with it. Grey water should not be used for prolonged periods.
Black Water
As you can probably guess, this is the most serious form of water damage. This highly toxic water is dangerous and is rated as a category 3. It is often caused by sewage water, and it can also be found in flooding situations. If you have suffered from category 3 water damage, your home must be completely disinfected. You should immediately get rid of any items or materials that have been in direct contact with blackwater.
Safety Tips
You now have a better understanding of the various types of water damage. However, this doesn’t include all the safety precautions you need to take. These are some more guidelines to help you stay safe after your home is damaged.
Electrical Safety
Many people don’t realize that water conducts electricity. Even if your home is flooded, even a few inches, water can cause electrical charges to be generated by outlets or electronics. This could cause a severe shock, so be cautious! As soon as possible, turn off the electricity. It is just too risky!
Mold
Mold is one of many side effects of water damage. Mold prevention is the main reason that drying your home can be so difficult. Although water damage can cause structural damage to many materials it is the mold growth that causes the most problems. Mold can grow in 24 hours if the right conditions are met. A home that has been water damaged is almost as perfect as it gets.
Let us leave you with this: Trust the authorities. Your Long Beach Water Damage Restoration Experts and the fire department are familiar with your particular situation. They will help you determine what is safe. Keep in touch with them as often as you can.