Jackie Thompson
After deadly Ian, a rare hurricane which was later downgraded to a tropical storm, Nicole, dropped heavy rains along the east coast of Florida wreaking havoc and destruction in its path. Roughly 1 in 50 homeowners in the US submits a water damage claim in a year. It is a common and devastating problem caused by natural disasters such as storms, flooding and heavy rains, appliance malfunctions, or structural failures, among others. To avoid health problems and further destruction to property, it is vital that waterlogged areas and water damaged goods are handled properly.
Recovery Efforts
Following the hurricane, government crews worked quickly to clear roads. Floridians also received assistance with recovery efforts. Water damage to property can be devastating, but the first step after such an occurrence is to ensure your safety. If it is not dangerous to do so, turn off the power and wear protective gear before re-entering your home or handling goods that were plunged in the water. Appliances and personal belongings that got wet must dried. Sort out broken goods and make a pile of items that can still be salvaged and another one for stuff that must be thrown away or recycled. For insurance purposes, you might want to document the destruction by taking photos.
One main reason why it is advised to clean up immediately is that it does not take long for mold and mildew to grow on your belongings. They are risks that can threaten your structure’s walls, roofs, and floors causing more damage. Mold and mildew not only look nasty, but they can also cause respiratory problems and allergies. Cleaning up the area that is submerged in water can help as well in assessing losses. If mold persists, calling in professionals for mold removal and remediation is the best recourse to protect your home and health. The Crisis Cleanup line is open to assist people in their recovery efforts including cutting fallen trees and removing drywall.
New Technologies to Reduce Water Damage
Water damage is one of the biggest concerns in Florida when building a house or edifice. The good news is there are new solutions that could protect a structure against water immersion using smart technology and real time data. Vivint Smart Home, Inc, announced its groundbreaking monitoring service that will reduce the costs of water emergencies by alerting clients of leaks and immediately connecting to a trusted water emergency cleanup services upon detection of water loss. In addition to the use of sensors to detect water leaks and flow monitoring, automated shutoff valves may reduce water-related issues. Another breakthrough is to install ‘the High Tide Home System’ that raises homes to prevent massive flooding during a hurricane. It can be installed in new builds and retrofitted in existing structures.
Damage caused by water and natural calamities to property and appliances can be devastating. It is important, therefore, to get rid of spoiled goods properly either through recycling or disposal. Equally, take advantage of new technologies to reduce water leaks and damage.