In the age of the internet, it is easy to find DIY projects for just about anything. With the readily available information, it’s natural to assume that projects are better to take on your own. However, there are some things that should be handled strictly by professionals. In this example, water damage should never be attempted without professional experience and tools.
When attempting water damage cleanup on your own, you can cause more danger than there is present. There are several issues that can confront you when you try to DIY this process alone.
Water is a huge conductor of electricity, which is why water and electricity are such a dangerous combination. Even if you’ve lost power, you can still be electrocuted in a flooded basement if someone is running a generator nearby and back-feeding electricity into the damaged electrical grid. Buzzing wires after a heavy storm or flood is usually an indicator of damaged wires or appliances. The noise usually indicates there is a charge present and trying to handle it will send an electrical current through your body. Not only that, but tools, equipment, and even standing water can be electrified, causing damage to your body with a strong shock.
The water that fills a home during a flood usually contains all sorts of germs and bacteria that can cause health problems. Attempting to clean this on your own can cause you to be more prone to sickness and disease, even if you wear protective clothing. A person in this type of environment who is constantly exposed to water damage can experience illnesses ranging from a mild upset stomach to serious illnesses such as dysentery, typhoid fever, and other water-borne illnesses.
Mold is a huge problem that you can be confronted with when trying to clean up water damage. It can pose a huge threat to anyone’s health and can hide in unreachable places without professional help. Mold thrives anywhere damp, so without the proper training or tools, mold may keep growing in places you thought were completely dry. With mold sticking around in the home for prolonged periods of time, those exposed to it can develop respiratory issues. Moreover, the longer it is allowed to grow, the more likely the structural integrity of the building will be negatively impacted.
As mentioned earlier, the structural integrity of your home can be impacted severely by water damage. There is no limit as to what can be damaged and will need to be replaced or restored. Drywall can crumble and deteriorate, the subfloor can warp and split, and foundations and concrete can crack. Water present in the foundation will weaken the entire structure. Trying to walk on a weakened structure can prove to be extremely dangerous, as you are more likely to slip or the floors can even cave in.
No matter where the water damage is occurring in your home, it’s important to get the right people on the case to remedy the issue. It’s also crucial to get on top of the problem as soon as you notice it to minimize it. Professionals at Rumsey Augusta will begin your water damage cleanup and ensure that the job is done quickly and correctly.
Augusta, GA
706.842.3290
