There is nothing more inconvenient and disruptive than dealing with water damage in your property. The chances are that there’s a sudden pipe burst, uncontrollable leaky faucets, or worst, flooding due to a recent storm. When confronted with these problems, what are you supposed to do?

Before contacting a professional restoration company, keep in mind that there are safety measures to take in protecting yourself and your family from the impact of the water damage. Doing this will also reduce further damages and stop this from escalating into a disaster.

In this article, we will share five crucial steps you will need to take when faced with a water damage problem:

1. Wear appropriate clothing and safety gear

When faced with water damage, this step is your first safety measure. Be sure to put on proper clothing and wear safety gear when trying to temporarily fix the problem or navigating a flooded home. If it helps, wear water-resistant clothes and put on a hard helmet, waterproof boots when wading through the waters, and also make sure to wear gloves when handling water, chemicals, and sewage. Likewise, put on a mask to avoid inhaling the foul odor coming from the water.

2. Shut your main water line

As soon as you encounter water damage, the next course of action is to turn off the main water supply. That way, you can stop water from leaking and causing further damages as well. That is why it’s best to know where the main water line is and how to shut it when an unexpected circumstance happens. When flooding or water damage strikes, perform the needful, and prevent the water levels from increasing.

3. Remove furniture and other valuables

While you’re at it, take the initiative to remove your furniture pieces and other valuable items impacted by the water damage. If possible, put them on the second floor with no standing water or away from your home’s affected areas. Remove wall decorations, pictures, and other valuable items that can possibly be affected as well. At the same time, all home furnishings need to be temporarily moved, and those that are already wet need to be dried off. Ultimately, you will need to work hand-in-hand with your family to reduce further damages.

4. Unplug electrical appliances

This one is a crucial safety measure that you must never overlook: unplug electrical appliances! When faced with flooding, locate the central electrical system and shut off the main switch immediately. If not, be sure to unplug all your electrical appliances to avoid electrocution—from your personal computer to your television down to your fridge. Don’t forget to turn off your air conditioning system as well because all these measures can prevent electricity-related hazards.

Conclusion

At this point, you now know what to do when confronted with water damage. As discussed above, make sure that you wear appropriate clothing and safety gear, shut your main water line, remove furniture and other valuables, and unplug electrical appliances.

Be sure to perform all these after contacting a professional restoration company and waiting for their services. All these vital measures will prevent potential dangers from escalating and promote the utmost safety of the whole household.

We provide water damage restoration in Salt Lake City, Utah, apart flooring installation, mold remediation, testing, and other services. If you require professional flood removal services, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!