5 Steps To Minimize Flooding Damage

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Use the circuit breaker box to shut off the electricity to all affected areas of your property

5 Steps To Minimize Flooding Damage

When it comes to sewer damage, there are two places in a building most likely to be affected: the basement and the bathroom. When a flooded toilet in a bathroom upstairs affects the lower levels of the building, you can face significant damage and repair costs. Fortunately, you can minimize some of the destruction by taking immediate steps.

Shut off the main water supply

If you are near the toilet, you can use the shut-off valve that's probably on the wall near the toilet. However, if there's a lot of overflow water on your property, there may be electrical risks to consider. In this case, it's best to stop the water from outside your building.

Turn off the electricity

Use the circuit breaker box to shut off the electricity to all affected areas of your property. When water is running through the walls and floors of your building, there's the risk of electrocution anywhere that outlets, lighting fixtures, and electrical lines may have been affected.

Contact professionals 

From your insurance agent to water damage remediation professionals, there are several people to contact right away. These may include the sewage company and other municipal authorities, especially if sewer damage resulted from a location outside of your property. The sooner you get these professionals involved, the better they can help you work through this process.

Mop up water

Use a wet/dry vacuum, towels, rags, mops, and other tools to get the water off the floors and into a drain or outside the property. Remove water as quickly as possible to prevent more damage. Remove waterlogged carpets and furnishings as well.

Open windows and ventilate the property.

In addition to opening the doors and windows, set up powerful fans (if you are sure it's safe to introduce electricity.) The moving air decreases the likelihood of residual moisture and secondary damages.
Sewer damage can be one of the most frustrating problems to affect your Elburn,IL, property. However, taking the right steps can minimize damages until professionals arrive to take over.