Water Damage: 3 Things Not To Do

When you are dealing with emergency water damage in your Dallas home, you will probably find yourself overwhelmed with the cleanup process. If you have never dealt with water damage before, you may not know what to expect, what actions to take, and what not to do. Understanding what not to do is just as important as knowing what you should do following emergency water damage. At Stanley Restoration, we take pride in making the water damage cleanup process as easy for you as possible so we have come up with three top things you should not do so that you can have the most successful water damage cleanup.

1. Do not let the water dry on its own.

Most homeowners understand that the water needs to dry, but many think that once all the moisture has gone that there is no more cause for concern. When water damage occurs in your home, it spreads and travels to areas you cannot see. Water penetrates beneath floorboards, behind walls, and inside ceilings. As water is left sitting, it will start to be absorbed by porous materials like wood, drywall, insulation, and even carpet padding. Though the water may appear to be gone after a few days of drying out, without the use of commercial grade air movers and dehumidifiers there will be excess moisture trapped in areas you cannot even see. You may think all the water is gone, but in reality it is hidden. The biggest problem with hidden water is mold growth. Anytime excess moisture is present, mold can begin to grow. If you leave water to dry by itself, mold will begin growing within 24-48 hours following the water damage. Water damage in your home cannot be left to simply dry out, this will only cause further structural damage and lead to mold growth.

2. Do not wait to begin the water damage cleanup process.

Since emergency water damage is never planned on or expected, many victims have the attitude that they will deal with the problem when they have time. Time is of the essence when it comes to water damage, so the longer you wait to put off cleanup, the more extensive the damage will be. Not only can mold grow within 24 hours, but structural damage will begin to occur after a few days, and possessions and belongings may no longer be salvageable after being exposed to water for extended periods of time. The best way to mitigate further damage and ensure the best outcome for not only your home but also all your property is to call a professional emergency water damage restoration team right away. Whether the damage has occurred day or night, on a weekday or weekend, even if it happened on a holiday, do not wait until normal business hours to call for help. Emergency water damage restoration crews are available 24/7 to begin the cleanup process as quickly as possible and provide you, your home, and your property with the best possible outcome.

3. Do not try to handle emergency water damage cleanup on your own. 

Without the proper training, experience, equipment, and licensing, you can actually do more harm than good to your home when attempting to cleanup water damage. Do not put yourself or your property at risk of further damage; instead call the certified professionals right away. With more than 35 years of experience in the restoration industry, Stanley Restoration has assisted thousands of homeowners with emergency water damage cleanup. Do not fall victim to more damage and longer restoration times by making any of the above mistakes.

Call Stanley Restoration in Dallas at the first sign of water damage and let us take care of the entire cleanup process, providing you with the best results possible.