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When water damage affects your Cincinnati home, immediately try to determine just how bad the damage is. From small leaks to major floods, all water damage problems should be cleaned up as quickly as possible. This will help mitigate further damage. If you are debating whether or not you need to call for professional water damage cleanup help, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Make the call to at least have an assessment performed. When you let trained professionals handle water damage cleanup, you can rest assured that you are keeping yourself and your family safe from the many hidden dangers associated with water damage.
Depending on the extent of the water damage, there could be some serious safety issues as a result. You should never enter a water-damaged area until a safety assessment has been performed by a trained and experienced professional. Here are some things you need to be aware of:
The first thing you should do is turn off the electricity to the home, especially in the area that has sustained the water damage. Water and electricity do not mix! Submerged electrical appliances and outlets, or any wiring that has been exposed to water, can cause serious electrical shock.
Because water damage can compromise the structural integrity of the home, it is important to be sure that ceilings are not sagging, floors are stable, and walls are not cracking or bowing. If you notice any structural compromises, stay out of the home or area.
If you are unsure how long the water has been present, and it could be longer than 24 hours, do not enter the area without the proper protective equipment. Water can carry a lot of harmful contaminants and supports bacterial and microbial growth when it is allowed to sit stagnant for 24 hours or more. Water from an unclean source is also considered contaminated and requires the proper safety equipment to keep you from inhaling toxins, spores, and other harmful substances when in the area.
If water damage has been present for 24 hours or more, prepare for potential mold problems as well. Mold can grow in as little as 24 hours following water damage. It can reproduce through tiny microscopic spores. These spores travel through the air and can lead to some serious health threats to anyone exposed. Respiratory symptoms like coughing, sneezing, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, trouble breathing, and increased asthma symptoms are common symptoms of mold exposure. Because mold can be dangerous, don’t waste any time getting the water damage cleanup process started.
It is also important to keep in mind that floors will be slippery following water damage. Objects may have moved or shifted as a result of the water damage, so extreme caution should be used to avoid slipping and falling. Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of injury during water damage cleanup and restoration projects. It is best to try to avoid the area if possible.
These dangers and risks associated with water damage should not be taken lightly. Do not expose yourself or your family to unnecessary harm when dealing with water damage. Leave the cleanup process entirely to the professionals at ICON Property Rescue. We are properly trained and experienced to safely handle any and all water damage cleanup cases. Our goal is to keep you and your family safe from harm while your home is being restored.
