Water damage restoration is generally a task best left to professionals. However, many Texans take pride in their ability to fix a number of things around the house. A word of advice: water damage restoration shouldn’t be one of them. There are a number of mistakes that homeowners taking up such a task are likely to make. Therefore, do not hesitate to acquire the services of STOP Restoration if you’re ever met with such a scenario in Fort Worth, Texas and the adjoining areas of Benbrook, Arlington, or Burleson. Below are some of the most frequently made DIY water damage restoration mistakes.
Not Acting Quickly
One thing most homeowners often seem to forget is that there is no room for time-wasting; time is of the essence. DIY homeowners generally wait for a bit, assuming that the water will drain on its own. Such an approach is plainly wrong, as most professionals will tell you. Proper restoration efforts must kick-off as soon as possible, and they begin by calling the professionals as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of the water seeping into other areas, causing greater damage. Not acting quickly or waiting it out will make the restoration process more difficult.
Not Assessing the Water Damage Thoroughly
It is true that you need to act quickly when met with a water damage scenario, but it is also true that you need to thoroughly assess the extent of the water damage so that effective measures can be taken. Determining the type and the extent of the damage will allow you to take the appropriate restoration measures. There are different categories of water damage, and going by factors such as the source, extent or location of water damage, it can fall into either category one, two or three of water damage.
Not Taking Appropriate Precautions
There are a number of precautions and safety measures that must be ensured whenever you have to deal with water damage restoration. First up are the safety measures and precautions that need to be put in place to ensure that nobody gets hurt or exposed to diseases and health hazards. Many homeowners seem to ignore these as they engage in DIY water damage restoration work. Things such as shutting off the mainline whenever there is a burst pipe situation, or cutting off the power supply to the house to safeguard against the risk of electrocution from a live wire, etc. are some of the serious mistakes that must be avoided. Then there is the lack of precautions when dealing with category 2 or 3 water damage that may expose you, your pets, or children to bacteria, viruses, or other harmful contaminants.
Using Poor Techniques
Using improper techniques to clear the area of the water is another common mistake that must be avoided. Some even go on to use heat to dry up the area, oblivious to the fact that heat will only create more humidity and conditions in which mold can thrive. The right technique is to use industrial-grade fans and dehumidifiers to do the job.
Not Using the Proper Equipment
Almost always, homeowners don’t have access to the special equipment that the job requires; things such as industrial-grade humidifiers, fans, suction machines, disinfectants, and more. The importance of such pieces of equipment can’t be understated, as they are vital when it comes to removing the water from your property and minimizing the chances that mold can grow there.
All in all, almost all of these DIY water damage restoration mistakes can be avoided if homeowners call the professionals instead of taking on the task on their own. If you ever find yourself in the middle of a water damage situation anywhere in Fort Worth, Texas, give STOP Restoration a call on 682-703-0213. We are equipped with the knowledge, the experience, and the best of equipment and requisite tools to carry out water damage restoration immaculately.
