Whether you came home to a disaster, or you were in the house with a pipe burst or rain flooded under the front door, you are in for a shock. After the immediate reaction of OH NO, look at all that water! you need to immediately address potential dangers in your water damaged home. While you want to get inside the home to salvage your possessions, you need to respect the potential dangers.
The initial water damage could cause damage to your electrical system as well as appliances and devices throughout the home if not properly repaired. Damaged wiring may arc or cause power surges that could permanently damage devices plugged into the system.
Avoid entering the property until the utility company, fire department, or a licensed electrician has turned off the electricity fully. Removing the meter from the socket is the only way the house can be completely disconnected from the grid. 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.
When you see a flood, keep in mind that water isn’t the only thing carried into storm drains and into our local streams and rivers when it rains. The rainwater picks up litter and debris, automobile fluids and other hazardous chemicals, soil eroding off of disturbed areas, pet waste, and anything else that happens to be on the ground. Depending on the source of the water, chemicals and toxins can be present and create serious health threats. If water came from a flood or from a burst pipe, it contains dirt and toxins and can easily develop harmful bacteria.
Children (and adults) should never consider floodwater as an opportunity for recreation. Just six inches of rushing water has enough power to knock over an adult, making drowning a serious possibility. The power of floodwaters is also strong enough that just 12 inches of water can carry away most small cars. Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
Floods are dangerous; get some support. Use a flashlight when entering a building. Never use matches, or cigarette lighters as there may be a gas leak. Keep clear around water meters, valves and telephone lines, municipal crews might need access through your property. Let the professionals at Stanley assess the dangers and make a safety plan for your property and your family.
When it comes to recovering your valued assets, the people at Stanley Restoration are your most valuable resource. Well-trained, courteous and professional, the staff takes a compassionate approach to restoration. They will respond immediately to your emergency service requests, schedule work around your schedule, and work with you and your insurance company to restore your home and its contents to pre-loss condition or better as soon as possible.
Stanley Restoration is a family-owned company with more than 30 years of experience in the DFW restoration industry, and we pride ourselves on our reliable, service-oriented team. Each of our employees undergoes background checks for your safety and extensive training in our services.