Disasters can strike home in several ways, whether floods, fires, storms, or other catastrophic natural events or from sources inside the home, together with the most frequent being: pipe bursts, sewage backflows, washing machine overflows, kitchen fires, along with carbon monoxide poisoning.
Here is some information on how to deal with and prevent the disasters lurking from inside your house:
1. Pipe Bursts
- When a pipe burst happens, a couple of gallons per minute can spurt out. If this happens, shut off the main water valve, then turn on the faucet in the house to let the water pour out of the faucet rather than through the burst pipe. When the flow stops, the water must be removed immediately. Call your plumber, insurance broker, and water damage expert as soon as possible.
- Pipe bursts usually happen when the water inside them freezes. Read this article to understand how to prevent frozen water pipes.
2. Sewage Backflows
- Several elements result in sewage backflows, such as storms and hurricanes that cause river, stream, and seawater overflows. The most contaminated floodwater is known as black water.
- Always wear protective equipment if you must walk. Urgently contact a professional restoration company to handle the flood cleanup.
- To prevent backflows, install backwater valves that prevent the backflow on the sanitary sewer line during a flooding or sewer blockage.
3. Washing Machine Overflows
- Washing machines account for over fifty percent of all water damage events. If your washing machine overflows, turn off the power supply, then wash the water as fast as you can prevent further harm.
- To prevent washing machine overflows, inspect hoses once a month. Search for signs of leaks, such as cracks, blisters, and bulges.
- For detailed information about how to prevent and act during washer overflows click here.
4. Kitchen Fires
- Frequent kitchen fires include grease fires, toaster fires, stovetop fires, and oven fires.
- If a pan caught fire, never carry it outside, since you can spill burning oil onto other objects. Never use water, as this may splatter hot grease and cause burns. Use a fire extinguisher, place a lid on the pan or drop baking soda on it.
- For toaster fires, unplug the cord (when safe to do so), then use a fire extinguisher or pour baking soda into it.
- In the event of a stovetop fire, extinguish the flames with baking soda after turning the oven off.
- If you have a fire in your oven, turn off the heat, then leave the oven door shut and wait for the fire to die out.
- WARNING: Never use bread or sugar to douse a fire, because these products may cause a small explosion.
5. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Carbon monoxide poisoning is the main cause of accidental poisoning death in the U.S. Be alert to CO poisoning symptoms (like headache, dizziness, fatigue, and vomiting), particularly when gas stoves or wood stoves are used indoors.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your house to prevent CO poisoning. Never ignore an alert, even if nobody feels ill. CO is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas.
- Check out more carbon monoxide safety tips here.
These are merely some of the disasters that may happen on your property. As with any disaster, you can prevent one by being prepared and educated. PuroClean is prepared to come to a home’s rescue in the event of a tragedy involving fire, mold, and water damage. Visit this site for more information.