Cleaning Up After Water Damage: What Not to Do
After water damage, the urge to start cleaning up straight away is understandable, but some of the most natural reactions are the ones to avoid. Flooded rooms, electrics near water and contaminated water are all hazards that need a professional response. If you are unsure what is safe, water damage restoration professionals can advise before anyone goes back in.
- ✓ Written for New York homeowners
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This guide lists what homeowners should not do after a water loss. It is safety guidance, not a cleanup manual.
Do not enter flooded buildings
Do not walk into a flooded room or building to check the damage or fetch belongings. Floodwater can hide hazards under the surface, and the structure itself may be affected in ways you cannot see.
Wait until a professional has assessed the area. Whatever is inside can wait.
Do not handle electrics in standing water
Do not touch electrical items, switches or sockets in or near standing water, and do not wade in to turn the power off. If water is near electrics, stay out and call for help.
Power should only be switched off from a dry place, and only if it is safe to do so. Never wade in to reach a switch or a fuse box.
Do not clean up sewage yourself
Do not try to clean up sewage or floodwater that may be contaminated. Sewage is Category 3 black water and a health hazard, and cleanup is professional-only.
Avoid contact, keep children and pets away, and call a professional. Sewage cleanup covers this work, and household cleaning is not a substitute for it.
Do not use a household vacuum on standing water
A household vacuum is not made for standing water, and using one can damage the machine and put the person using it at risk. Mops and towels are no substitute either when a room is flooded.
The right response is professional water removal, followed by drying. Homeowners in Binghamton are given the same advice after a flood or a burst pipe: leave the water to the professionals.
Key Takeaways
- Do not walk into a flooded room or building to check the damage or fetch belongings.
- Do not touch electrical items, switches or sockets in or near standing water, and do not wade in to turn the power off.
- Do not try to clean up sewage or floodwater that may be contaminated.
- A household vacuum is not made for standing water, and using one can damage the machine and put the person using it at risk.
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Call to arrange a water damage visit in New York. Describe what you found and we will talk through the next step.
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