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Not Sure How to Clean Up after a Flood? 5 Safety Precautions to Learn First

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If you own a home, you owe it to yourself to learn about flood procedures. Being prepared for a flood can help you avoid costly—even dangerous—mistakes. Here are just a few precautionary tips you should follow if your home floods.

Turn Off the Electricity

Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Before you step into a flooded basement, be sure that the electricity to your home has been turned off. Failure to turn off the power could cause serious injuries or even death if you step into water that is electrically charged. Familiarize yourself with the location of your breaker box so that you can get to it quickly in an emergency. Once the electricity is turned off, you can start inspecting the damage.

Place the Generator Outside

While the electricity is off, you may want to use a gas-powered generator to get started on the clean-up. Be sure you place the generator outside, however. Operating any gas-powered equipment inside your home can cause carbon monoxide to build up, which can be fatal.

Pump Water from Living Areas Quickly

If the flood started upstairs in the living area, you'll need to remove that water as quickly as possible. Standing water can cause harmful mold and bacteria to start growing. Standing water can also undermine the structural integrity of your homes framework. Once the water has been removed from upstairs, you'll be ready to move on to the basement.

Remove Basement Flood Waters Slowly

Unlike upstairs, you'll need to remove basement water slowly, especially if the water came from seasonal floods. Seasonal floods can leave the ground saturated with water, which can lead to a cave-in if the basement floodwaters are removed too quickly. Removing the basement flood waters slowly, allows the soil to dry out.

Inspect Your Septic Tank

If you have a septic system, the ground water may have seep into the tank. If that happens, you could end up with raw sewage in your home the next time you flush the toilet or run your water. Have a plumber come out and inspect the septic tank and drains before using your toilets.

If your home floods, you're going to need to do more than simply remove the water. Taking the proper steps following a flood can make clean-up easier and can prevent potentially dangerous situations from occurring. Familiarize yourself with the steps listed above. By following those steps, you can make clean-up easier and safer for you. For assistance, talk to a professional like Go Green Carpet Cleaning.


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