Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Dealing With Water Damage Cleanup

Whether a pipe bursts, an appliance malfunctions, the sewage line backs up, a toilet overflows, or a nearby stream floods, getting the water cleaned up quickly can significantly reduce the damage done to your home. However, most homeowners do not know the correct way to respond, and can actually end up making water damage worse. Here are the 3 most common mistakes homeowners in Springfield make following water damage. 

Water Damage Cleanup In Springfield IL

1. Waiting too long to get begin cleanup 

The ‘I will get to it later’ attitude will lead to even more damage in your home and to your belongings following water damage. A successful cleanup and restoration is dependent on time. The longer water damage sits, the worse the damage will be. As soon as you notice water damage, you need to act. Immediate steps need to be taken to stop the source of water, limit the spread of damage, and develop a plan to ensure your home and property is restored properly. Do not wait or waste any time when your home has sustained water damage. 

2. Failing to achieve through water removal and drying

When people attempt to clean up water damage on their own, they often use whatever equipment they can find around their homes to get the job done. For example, many homeowners have attempted to remove water in their homes with a shop vacuum, and once all the water they can see is gone they think the job has been done. What they do not know though, is that water seeps into materials like wood, drywall, insulation, ceilings, and floors and is absorbed by these porous materials. So even if surface water appears to be gone, water is still hidden where we cannot see. Without professional extraction equipment, commercial grade air movers, and dehumidifiers, hidden moisture will remain in your home – which leads to more damage. Mold can begin to grow within 48 hours of moisture exposure. When it grows in areas we cannot see, it is able to continue growing and spreading, leading to an extensive mold removal process once it is discovered. Mold exposure also causes a lot of respiratory symptoms, and is a major health risk. Without the right experience, training, and expertise to thoroughly remove water, water damage will continue to be a problem long after surface water has been dried. 

3. Not calling a professional right away

Because water damage cleanup can be an extensive project, and requires certain precise steps to guarantee the best results, it should be left to the professionals. All-Pro Floor Care offers  24/7 emergency response services so that water damage cleanup can begin right away. With the use of professional equipment, proper training, and years of experience, we are able to provide fast reliable service to completely clean up and restore your home to its pre-loss condition. Do not risk causing further damage to your home, and avoid making these common mistakes by calling All-Pro Floor Care for all your water damage cleanup needs.