Water-damage repair San Francisco
4 Reasons to Call a Professional for Water-Damage Repair
Splash! Are those wet footprints your dog just tracked through the living room?
Sometimes, it’s easy to know when water damage is on the way. Floods, after all, are the most common—and perhaps the most dangerous—national disasters in the United States. But for thousands of Americans each year, water damage is the unexpected result of a freak storm or a plumbing malfunction.
When this happens, people are faced with two options: They can call professional water-damage repair services for immediate assistance, or they can try to remedy the problem alone. This article will discuss four reasons why flood extraction should never be approached without professional guidance.
1. You might be electrocuted.
The process of removing flood water from a home begins long before the pumping. The first priority is safety, and when it comes to water, electrocution is always a very real concern.
It’s important, then, to make sure all electricity has been turned off. But avoiding a shock is a bit more involved than toying with the circuit breaker. Often, a flood is the result of a major storm. In these cases, power lines may be down. Combine that with densely saturated soil, and it’s a recipe for disaster.
A professional flood service will know when it’s safe to begin the extraction process. Besides ensuring there is no risk posed by electrical currents, it’s also important to make sure the flood has reached its peak and has begun dissipating. As well, no fuel leaks should be present, and if the infrastructure has been damaged severely, measures must be taken to protect the person extracting the water.
2. You might cause more damage.
So, your home has been flooded, and that can lead to mold growth, expensive renovations and all sorts of remodeling projects. Therefore, it’s best to remove the water as quickly as possible, right? Wrong!
As mentioned earlier, the soil outside the home may be drenched after a major storm. This can literally add tons of pressure to the outside walls. According to FloodSafety.com, it’s vital that flood water is removed slowly. Otherwise, the result could be an imbalance of pressure between the outside and inside of the home, which can cause the walls to crack and possibly collapse.
3. You don’t have flood-restoration equipment.
Emergency flood restoration is a tricky process, and it requires the right experience and equipment. Don’t think for one second that your pool’s water pump can do the trick; according to About.com, flood extraction may require an array of professional equipment, including:
Gas-powered pump or emergency generator
Powerful flashlight
Waterproof hip-waders or boots
Dust mask
Rubber gloves and work gloves
Hand tools and pry bar
Channel-Lock pliers or pipe wrench
4. You could increase your claim amount, leading to higher flood-insurance premiums.
Though it’s never smart to remove flood water quickly, it’s also not a good idea to let it sit while you ponder your budget. Our San Francisco flood-restoration services can remove the water quickly and efficiently. With drying and dehumidification processes, you can save the home from unnecessary damage, which may reduce your flood-insurance claim.
Choosing to invest in emergency flood restoration is almost always the right decision, especially in cases of major water damage. If you live in a San Francisco flood zone, don’t wait to schedule a professional assessment. To learn about our water-damage repair services, call Fixaflood at (855) 349-2356.