Whether you evacuated or stayed at your home to ride out a hurricane, seeing the aftermath can be devastating. When the storm has passed is when the work begins. There are a few things you need to stay aware of in order to stay safe when you start the process of hurricane cleanup.
Hurricane Cleanup Can Be Dangerous
Many injuries from severe storms actually happen after the storm. Do not walk through any standing water if you can help it; if you can’t avoid it, then use extreme caution. Any floodwaters could have harmful bacteria or other contaminants. There could also be sharp objects in the water that you won’t be able to see until it’s too late.
Don’t assume that the power is off in an area. Stay away from downed power lines, and if you think any standing water is in contact with electricity, stay away. You can turn the main power breaker off in your home if it is in an area that you can safely get to. Gas should also be turned off until it’s confirmed that there are no leaks.
Take Pictures of the Damage
You are going to need to file an insurance claim and start to document the damage. You will need to take pictures of everything before you start going through things. Try to leave everything exactly as it is until you have all of the documentation you need. At Extreme Carpet Care, we can help you with your insurance claim and document the damages for you.
Salvage What You Can
Water damage and items broken in high winds are the most common types of damage you may see with a hurricane. You will need to get things you may want to keep out of the water and start drying them. Pictures can be hung up by their corners to dry; just take extra care when removing them from waterlogged frames or albums. If you are unable to take them out without harming them, contact a water damage restoration team. They can take scans of photos and other documents so they will not be lost.
The next thing to do is start to remove the water and deal with any water damage in your home. If water has had a chance to sit for 48 hours, then mold might be starting to set in. Mold travels by spores and can be harmful to breathe in. Wearing a mask to filter out mold and other airborne particles in the air is a good idea.
Cleaning up after a hurricane can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. In fact, it is not recommended to take care of hurricane cleanup and damage on your own. Your insurance will only cover the costs of repairs if they are from a licensed professional. At Extreme Carpet Care, we have seen just how much damage a hurricane can cause. We have the experts and tools to clean and restore your home or property to the way it was before the storm. We are available 24/7, because Mother Nature rarely strikes during business hours. Give us a call today for a free estimate.
