Last week, we shared the steps one should take after having water damage. Whether it be a storm or a bathroom leak, it is important to call an experienced electrician to repair electrical damage after water damage in cleared up. Today, readers will learn the steps to saving valuables after experiencing water damage and how an affordable electrician can perform a residential electrical repair seamlessly.
Save the best, first:
In our last blog, we shared that prioritizing is an important step during storm cleanup. Not everything can be saved, so saving the items most important to you first is crucial. Consider your insurance and save what is not covered or cannot be replaced.
Air drying indoors is a great option for salvaging items. If the weather has cleared up, open up windows to increase indoor airflow and circulation. When the weather is too hot, use the following items to air dry:
- fans
- air conditioners
- dehumidifiers
- air purifier
Avoid the following:
- hair dryers
- irons
- ovens
- prolonged exposure to sunlight
These items may cause irreversible damage. Handle your items with care and do as much research as possible when salvaging each item. Delicate items such as photographs tend to clump together once soaked. Try to use little tools such as cotton swabs or tweezers to separate photographs to avoid tearing.
Saving pictures:
Removing pictures from photo albums and frames as they will dry to whatever they are currently in. Place white paper towels between every few pages of books you wish to salvage. This will slowly soak up the water.
On certain photographs, you may be able to rinse them gently in clean water. Air-drying photos on a plastic screen, paper towel, or by hanging them with plastic clothespins.
Avoid the picture side from coming in contact with any other surfaces. As they dry, you will not be able to cleanly separate the photo from the surface. For future reference, invest in a scanner or use an app on your phone to electronically store photos, so you do not have to worry about a bathroom leak or flooding!
On fragile objects, carefully removed dirt and debris with soft cloths and brushes. Do not rub as the dirt may grind up into finer pieces making it impossible to remove the dirt.
Residential electrical repair:
First off, never turn on an appliance or attempt using it unless you are sure it was not touched by water. It is natural for many people to rush to check on the big ticket items, especially after evacuating. Do not check on appliances as they may have shifted and damaged electrical and gas lines.
As you can imagine, this puts everyone around at risk. If you smell a rotten-egg odor, the gas may be leaking. Do not turn on light switches either.
If you get home and realize the bathtub or washer machine flooded your house, call the utility company to turn off your power. This is the first precaution you can take to avoid anyone getting seriously electrocuted.
Water can ruin appliances and heating and cooling systems quickly. Even if the appliances dry out and seem to work fine, it is best to let an electrician or flooding specialist check out them before further use. In many cases, it makes the most sense to get new appliances as labor and parts can rack up rapidly.
Follow these easy steps to stay safe:
- Let a pro inspect before you do
- Do not turn on the HVAC
- Beware of mold in your refrigerator and freezer
Speak with an experienced electrician about a residential electrical repair what you can salvage after experiencing flooding. Living in Florida, we can get mold very quickly due to the humidity and temperatures. Discover what is salvageable and what you should get replaced for a fair price with trustworthy electricians.
Staff Writer
