Handling Water Damage in Merrill MI
From malfunctioning dishwashers to broken roofs, water damage changes in origin and intensity. Wherever it starts, it can result in serious harm to the foundation and fixtures inside. Wooden surfaces and drywall are prone to harboring mold and mildew if neglected after water damage. If your home experiences water damage, get the experts at Paul Davis of Merrill.
Before We Arrive
It can be tempting to try and remedy the water damage yourself. That said, we recommend leaving the heavy lifting up to the experts. However, there are some ways to clean before the Paul Davis crew arrives. From the floors, walls, ceiling, and your favorite possessions, it’s essential to act quickly to postpone water damage in your home.
Before starting, evaluate the safety of your home. It’s no secret that water and electricity are dangerous together, so search for electrical hazards around your home before you start cleaning. Even if they appear safe, steer clear of objects like TVs, microwaves or other household appliances. Power off all breakers and circuits to avoid electrocution and ensure total safety.
Getting Started
A serious flood in Merrill can leave all your items wet. To keep water damage from destroying small items, move them first. Paper and inked items like books need a flat, dry surface. Don’t forget lamps and other shelf items either. You can begin cleaning once you’ve moved newspapers, small items and other dampened materials.
Fans or air conditioning circulate air around your house and begin drying the area. Wipe or mop damp areas such as countertops to ensure smaller puddles of sitting water have been cleaned. Though you may want to try, don’t use a normal home vacuum cleaner to remove water. This can damage the vacuum or endanger you if incorrectly used. If your furniture has been affected, use wooden or cement blocks to raise large furniture off the floor.
Water adds weight to surfaces, carpets, and fabrics. All that extra weight makes rugs, leather goods and fur difficult to lift. This means when you need to move a rug, proceed carefully. Hang clothing, draperies and other fabrics away from the affected area to dry correctly. Keep in mind that water damage can affect such items permanently, so you might not be able to save them.
The same water weight that damages rugs and carpets can damage your home’s structure. Because of this, avoid sinking ceilings or warped floors. Areas like these have likely absorbed the most water and could fall under weight.
Why Paul Davis?
Paul Davis technicians are experts on water damage. They can treat your home more effectively with a little prep work from you. We work hard to restore your home back to normal safely and quickly. Our specialists have worked in a variety of flood conditions in different types of home and business properties around Merrill. Additionally, Paul Davis helps you with your insurance company to settle your claims quickly, so you can return to normal.