Are There Any Health Hazards During Water Mitigation in Olathe?

7/19/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage is not something that most people can handle alone. Contact SERVPRO and get professional help in dealing with water damage in your home.

Olathe Homeowners Must Be Aware Of The Risks Of Water Mitigation

Water damage is a homeowner’s nightmare. People living in the Olathe area are keen to protect their homes and make sure that even in the event of a flood or a burst pipe, they can get back to life as usual before too long.

SERVPRO understands that Olathe homeowners might be keen to carry out water mitigation after a flood. It is only natural to want to restore your damaged home quickly. Homeowners often try to mop up the water, wring out drapes, trash water-logged items, and move precious keepsakes out of harm’s way, after a flood. However, we recommend waiting for the professionals to arrive – water cleanup comes with several health risks that you might not be aware of.

What are some of the health risks of water mitigation?

There are many health risks associated with water removal procedures, including:

• There is a risk of contact with contaminated water. Depending on the source of the pool, there is a chance that it is contaminated with chemicals or human waste. The thought of such dangerous water is very unpleasant, and homeowners need to be fully aware of this risk.
• Overhead light fixtures, appliances, and smaller lamps, all pose an electric shock risk if there is water present. You cannot always see whether water has seeped into wiring or not – but your teams know how to check. SERVPRO teams always ensure there is no active power to fittings before touching them, to eliminate the risk of electric shocks.
• Slip, trip, and fall hazards are very common in water-damaged homes. Wet surfaces are usually slippery, and when you combine slippery surfaces with the possibility of poor lighting and scattered debris, the chances of a trip or fall rise significantly.

There may be other structural hazards in place, such as from hanging or damaged drywall, wet carpets, or damaged wood.

SERVPRO wants local homeowners to understand that there are many health hazards associated with water mitigation in their Olathe homes. That’s why it’s better to call in the professionals who have training in assessing and handling such risks.

Why should I wait till SERVPRO arrives?

If you try to carry out water mitigation by yourself, the risks are twofold.

First, you do not have the necessary training to assess and handle the health hazards associated with water cleanup. That means you are putting yourself at risk if you try to proceed alone.

Second, you do not have professional equipment such as air movers, dehumidifiers, and water extractors. Attempting mitigation without the right equipment increases the chances of an incomplete job and more problems in the future due to overlooked damages.

What does SERVPRO do to lessen the health risks?

SERVPRO ensures each of our technicians receives thorough training in how to assess and reduce risks during the water mitigation process. For example:

• We begin every site visit with a thorough assessment of the situation. We take into account the damage to your home and all potential risks and draw up a clear plan for restoration and mitigation.
• We equip all our technicians with appropriate personal protective equipment, including masks, breathing apparatus, gloves, and coveralls, to keep them safe from potential contamination.
• We train our technicians in the safest way to move through small and enclosed spaces, water damaged rooms, and structures with missing rooves or broken windows.
• If necessary, we construct containment areas to ensure the safety of both our team and your loved ones.

Our teams also carry out thorough extraction and drying to leave your home dry and safe once more, and reduce the risk of mold growth.

SERVPRO teams also deodorize your home, and clean and sanitize water-damaged items, to leave it smelling fresh.

Is there anything else I can do to hasten the restoration process?

We understand that you want to get back to your home as soon as possible. 

The best way to get your home restored quickly is to call us as soon as possible after water damage. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can come to your aid.

We know it can be tempting to try and help, but please stay clear of our teams while they work – we are there to keep you safe.

In some cases, you might need to move out for a while so we can restore your home and make it safe once more. In cases such as these, our pack-out and move-out services help keep your belongings safe and in good order while we sanitize and restore them.

Water mitigation can be dangerous and is a job for professionals. Don’t try to handle mitigation yourself – call SERVPRO of Olathe / Lenexa and SERVPRO of Blue Valley at (913) 782-4693.