Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City, TN
Significant flooding can have a disastrous effect on your home or business. If this happens, we understand your temptation to return to the property as soon as possible. Spotless Carpet Cleaners urges you to avoid this instinct, and call us at (423) 926-9251 to send a technician to perform an on-site evaluation before you enter.
All that being said, if you must enter right away, just be sure to follow these crucial safety guidelines to when re-entering a flooded building or home.
Determine structural stability
Examine your home as much as possible before entering. Is the ceiling sagging? Have any walls collapsed? If so, you should not enter. If you are uncertain whether the building is safe, wait until you receive a professional assessment before going inside. Even after your home has been determined safe to enter, be sure to walk with care and evaluate stability as you go. Never walk into any areas of deep, standing water.
Cut the power
Even if power is out in your neighborhood, you should assume that any power lines to your home are still active. You should deactivate the power to your home by disabling the main circuit breaker panel. You usually can find this panel in your garage, utility room, basement, or on the side of the exterior of the building.
Never use regular household vacuums to remove excess water, and avoid the use of any electrical appliance while standing on wet carpet or flooring. If you decide to use a generator for a short-term power supply, do not leave it running in an enclosed area, as the odorless and colorless carbon monoxide released by the generator can prove to be fatal. Make sure you let the generator engine cool before refueling, and avoid the use of extension cords if possible.
Turn off water and gas
Locate your main water valve—usually in the basement, near the water meter, or outside—and turn it off by turning the valve clockwise. This may require pliers or an adjustable wrench. Use bottled or boiled water for hygiene, drinking, and cooking until your water supply has been proven safe.
If your home uses natural gas, check to detect any odor then shut off the supply of gas from the main valve, which typically can be found on the gas supply pipe, near the meter.
Watch for animals
You may encounter stray pets, reptiles, and rodents that might have taken shelter in your home because of the flooding. Be cautious before approaching any animal and use a stick to poke through debris before you remove it to avoid being bitten. If you do encounter one of these uninvited visitors, contact your local animal control office. Do not attempt to remove them on your own.
Gear up
Many flooding events also result in the infiltration of water that is contaminated with sewage, mud, or other substances that can jeopardize health.
Before entering a flooded home, equip yourself with the following protective gear:
- Disposable plastic gloves
- A respirator with a particulate filter, N-95 respirator, or half-face respirator with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter
- Goggles or other protective eyewear
- Disposable full body clothing, such as coveralls or a lab coat
- Headgear such as a helmet or hardhat
- Rubber boots or foot coverings
If your home or business becomes flooded, Spotless Carpet Cleaners offers 24-hour emergency service.
Spotless Carpet Cleaners is proud to serve the cleaning, carpet, as well as water remediation and restoration needs for customers in the areas of Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee, and has done so since 1975.
