Standing Water? Standing IN Water? Call now.
If your building is flooded, stop reading and call us!
If you’ve had previous damage from water and it’s less of an emergency, you can call us or contact us by email – click the Contact Us button right here.
Is DIY Flood Damage Cleanup A Bad Idea?
It’s no secret that Mother Nature can have a cruel sense of humor on occasion. Thunderstorms can pass through areas, taking their dear, sweet time, dropping inches and inches of rain. Not to mention, tons of ice and snow can hit spots, only to melt later, creating quite a mess. And what happens then? Flooding occurs, that’s what.
If homeowners are lucky, the water only seeps into their basements, where a sump pump carries it elsewhere. However, if there isn’t anywhere for the liquid to go due to the flooding, it can stay put for days, weeks, or even months. Then again, basements aren’t the only rooms that get flooded. Sometimes, the kitchens, bathrooms, living spaces, and more on the first floors of houses take on water.
It isn’t all that often that second floors do the same, but that is a possibility as well. Once floodwaters get inside your home and it’s time to rectify the situation, you will need to decide whether to tackle the venture yourself or hire a flood damage cleanup company. Many individuals will choose to take do-it-yourself approaches to save a few bucks, and that is their prerogative. However, the following are some reasons to avoid going that route.
Water Damage Professionals have the correct Equipment For The Job
When a house gets flooded, it takes more than a wet/dry vacuum and some box fans to right the ship. First of all, if rooms are under water, pumps will be needed to get enough liquid out to make them accessible. Then, vacuums can be used to remove the rest. Blowers and heavy-duty fans may also be required to dry things out. Not to mention, dehumidifiers, light wands, and squeegee wands could be necessary as well.
That’s great if a homeowner already has these tools on hand, but most people don’t. Do you fall into that category? If so, you might have to wind up spending what feels like a small fortune to buy or rent them. Hence, it might be more feasible from a financial standpoint to hire a flood damage cleanup company in the first place.
What If You Miss Something?
Emergency restoration companies know where water seeps and how to get it out. If a homeowner is unfamiliar with such information and techniques, moisture could easily get left behind. That might not sound like a very big deal, but it can turn into one because mold may begin growing. Mold should never remain inside a structure because it can cause health issues in occupants. Common symptoms associated with mold allergies include:
- Sneezing
- Cough And Postnasal Drip
- Itchy Eyes, Throat, And Nose
- Dry And Scaly Skin
Some Final Thoughts
Thus, as you can see, it is in your best interest to call in the professionals to ensure mold doesn’t become an issue.
And what about injuries?
You could sustain injuries while attempting DIY flood damage cleanup. Perhaps you attempt to pick up the wet/dry vac to empty it, only to pull a muscle in your back. Or, maybe you slip on a wet stair, tumble down, and break your arm. The list can go on and on. Keep all of these things in mind the next time your home floods, and consider hiring a company to clean everything up, if for nothing else, to save yourself some grief.