Water Damage Cleanup | Always Allow Maximum Drying Out Time

Water damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburg takes several steps to complete sufficiently and none of the steps should be skipped over. However, the most vital step to never skimp on is the drying out process. Making sure all the water, moisture, and humidity is gone from the walls, floors, and carpeting is the best way to prevent mold and mildew; however, many homeowners are not sure what the correct drying process is or how long they should expect to wait for the process to be completed. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks to ensuring proper technique in drying.

What to Do to Dry Out A Room

There are several steps to the drying process when you are doing water damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburg. The drying out process happens after all water is removed out of the room. Most professionals use large, commercial water removal machines that suction out the water.

  • Empty the room of all furniture and possessions.
  • Open all the windows if weather permits.
  • Tear out carpet if carpet needs replaced.
  • Commercial cleaning of carpets if not tearing the carpet out.
  • Set up large commercial drying fans or box fans and point to the carpet or flooring, as well as the walls. You will need to use more than one and be prepared to rotate them if needed.
  • Set up a dehumidifier to pull moisture from the air.
  • Replace carpet after the room is dry.

The drying time can take multiple days to complete. The longest part of the process is leaving the fans and dehumidifier on to remove the excess moisture from the room. Depending on how much water was in the room and the type of flooding that occurred, the drying process can take 1-5 days.

Water damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburg is always completed faster when done by professionals who have the commercial grade equipment needed for proper water cleanup.

Call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburgh for All Your Professional Cleanup Needs at 412-424-6755 or visit us on Facebook.

Flood Damage Cleanup | Signs of Electrical Damage from Flooding

Flood Damage Cleanup | Signs of Electrical Damage from Flooding

Flooding is one of the worst natural disasters that a homeowner can face, and many do not realize all the complications that can go along with flood damage. Some of these complications can be dangerous—like electrical damage, which is why professional flood damage cleanup is so important. Unless you’re a professional electrician or have the training to deal with electrical issues during flood damage cleanup, you should call in the professionals.

Signs of Electrical Damage

Electrical damage during a flood can be extremely dangerous, especially during the flood damage cleanup process when you might be working in the water. Before you jump into trying to do flood damage cleanup on your own, know the signs of when you might be at risk for electrical shock.

  • Lights flickering or not working
  • Outlets not working
  • Hot outlets
  • Burning odor
  • Sparking or fire
  • Circuit breaker problems
  • Electrical shocks occurring

If you notice any of these signs of electrical problems, you need to take caution and consider hiring a professional flood damage cleanup company to keep everyone safe.

Replace These Items If Submerged in Water

When you are doing flood damage cleanup, you are going to find a lot of your personal items submerged in water. Almost all electrical items need to be thrown away, but there are a few items that you might not realize are included in the things you need to throw away.

  • Plastic sheathed building wire
  • Circuit panels and breakers
  • Circuit boards
  • Armored cable
  • Switched disconnected boxes
  • Blowers and fans
  • Fuse boxes and fuses
  • Outlet receptacles
  • Non-submersible pumps
  • Heaters
  • Switches
  • Furnaces
  • Motors
  • Lights
  • Boilers
  • Air conditioners
  • Subpanels

If you are questioning whether an item is damaged or not, it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to electric shock and fires.

Avoiding Electrical Shock

To avoid electrical shock during water damage cleanup, you need to shut off the electricity and hire a professional to complete the cleanup process. Flood damage cleanup companies have the tools and protective gear necessary to bail out your basement safely.

The team at ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburg is efficient, professional, and quick at their jobs, which can save you time and money at the end of your restoration or cleanup project. Call ServiceMaster of Greater Pittsburg to discuss your commercial and residential cleaning needs today at 412-528-5986