“DIY” or Do-it-yourself projects are oftentimes a fantastic way to save time and money or even hone new skills because with just the right amount of google searching you can usually find the “how-to” for almost anything, yes even water damage repair. However, what most “DIY” websites won’t tell is the risks associated with attempting to restore your home from water damage without professional help. At Stretch Cleaning, we are all about helping our customers save on costs associated with home damages, but even more so, the health and safety of you and your loved ones are our number one priority. Here are some of the main reasons why water damage repairs should not be on your “DIY” to do list.
Water damages can quickly lead to structural damages within your home. Picture your bathtub flooding and walking down into the basement below and seeing your basement ceiling bowing from the weight of the water above. Now picture that ceiling giving way – you definitely don’t want to be anywhere above or below when that happens. That’s just one example of the kinds of structural damages you can see, but there are plenty of structural damages that can go unseen without a trained eye to spot them.
You make think water is, well, just water right? Well, not always. There are actually three different categories professionals use to describe flood water. First, there is water that comes from a clean water source, such as from rainwater or a toilet holding tank. This type of water carries little risk to clean up, but weary, clean water can morph into what is known as grey water in under 48 hours if not dried promptly and effectively.
Grey water is the second category of flood water. It generally comes from sources such as a malfunctioning dishwasher, shower drain, or clothes washing machine. Although this type doesn’t contain human waste, it can still have a slew of nasty chemicals and waste in it. Any person coming into contact with grey water should be wearing personal protective gear for this reason.
Black water is the third type of flood water, and just as you may have guessed, contains human waste. This water generally comes from clogged toilets or broken sewage pipes, Along with that human waste comes a frenzy of dangerous pathogens. Water that enters a home due to a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or flash flood is automatically categorized as black water, because of the likelihood that it mixed with sewage at some point. Contact with black water without proper personal protective gear can cause significant health problems for both humans and pets.
Electrical hazards are another significant risk posed by flooding in your home that you may not be able to identify. Standing water in your home can often become electrified by currents of electricity exposed by appliances or wiring and outlets. A professional licensed restoration company will be able to assess the situation and proceed once they have secured the scene from any electrical dangers. Appliances involved in any water damages will also need to be assessed for any damages before being plugged in again, luckily, the professionals can help with this as well.
All in all, this is one “DIY” scenario that just isn’t worth the risk. For any amount of flooding in your home, always contact a professional restoration company that specializes in flood repairs to assess the damages.
