As the Washington DC metro area, so dramatically illustrated last July, the Summer months are the season for unpredictable and often ferocious storms that leave homes battered. Water damage is often the result of these summer and springtime storms. Homeowners are left to cope with a tremendous mess. Not only are foundations and other structural components often destroyed; but so are carpets, floorboards, wood floors and/or linoleum; furniture and any possessions unfortunate enough to be touching the floor. If water enters the home through the ceiling, you’re dealing with an even worse situation in which anything in your home is fair game for water damage.

If you’re ever the victim of water damage, the following practical tips can help you prioritize and allocate what’s best left to the services of a professional:

Call a professional as soon as you discover water damage. Bacterial growth begins immediately following a flood.
Do not vacuum wet floors or carpets; you’re placing yourself at risk for electric shock. Besides, the removal of water from floors and carpets requires specialized machinery. Vacuum cleaners are inadequate for the job.
If you encounter standing water in any room, do not enter if the electricity is still on. Wait until a professional arrives on the premises.
Turn on your ceiling fans, box fans and oscillating fans throughout the house to aid in the drying process. If your house has an air conditioning system, turn it on at the lowest temperature your utility bill can stand. If your water damage is incurred during the winter months, turn on your heating system.
Blot as much of the water as you can with large beach towels. Mop the floors to lessen the possibility of seepage and mildew accumulation.
If you own a dehumidifier, turn it on if the outside temperature is approximately 65 degrees or higher (and chances are, it is in these springtime months).
Lift saturated area rugs and other removable floor coverings, and place outside away from your home. Warning: Wet rugs are extremely heavy and will require more than one person to lift.
Grab a towel, and wipe all wet furniture dry. If you own any cinder blocks, place them underneath all furniture to minimize water damage. If you have no cinder blocks, wrap towels around furniture legs, or line sheets of aluminium foil underneath them. Remove sofa cushions and chair cushions, and elevate them to allow air to dry them from all sides.
Survey all curtains and draperies throughout the house. If they’re skimming any wet floors, lift them and either tack them up or place them over a coat hanger hooked onto the curtain rod.
If you spot any wet fabrics throughout your home — whether it be sheets, tablecloths, blankets or other coverings — remove them and place them outside for drying.
Gather all precious valuables, such as important documents, family photos, paintings and/or sculptures, and family heirlooms to a dry, safe place. And make a mental note to buy a weather-proof safe for your smaller valuables and important documents.
Remove damp books, and spread them out to dry.
Hang damp clothes up to dry. Materials such as leather are particularly sensitive to outside weather variables, so it’s best to keep them indoors at room temperature.
Open doors throughout the house, including bedroom doors and closet doors, to speed the drying process. Your rule of thumb should be to open anything that can be opened — whether it’s a drawer, cupboard, window or interior door — to maintain air circulation.

As weather patterns change throughout the country, it often seems that springtime comes in like a lion and maintains a steady roar until the summer arrives. When it comes to water damage, there’s not much you can do proactively to protect your home, aside from purchasing a safe for your valuables. But knowing how to respond if and when you’re faced with such a situation can help minimize the damage to your home and protect your safety.

Chris Johnson

http://www.flooddoctorva.com