Undertaking flood restoration in your business property or home can be an upsetting process following flooding. It is understandable that our instinct is to begin the clearing up process as soon as possible, with the aim of returning the property to its original state. The problem with this is that many will often overlook the importance of handling electrical goods in the right manner following flooding. This article serves to provide advice on the steps you should take in flood restoration of electrical goods to ensure your safety and maximise the chances of getting them working again.
The electrical issue
When you have water and electricity in the same environment there is always a risk; meaning it is very important to turn off electric before moving anything. First turn of your electric at the mains so that there is no power to the property at all. Now you can turn off the electrical item at the socket to be doubly safe, before unplugging.
Remove to a safer environment
The second step of the process is to remove the electrical item from the room and place it in a dryer room. If the weather is dry enough then you could even place the item outside in the garden. Ensure you get help lifting any heavy items such as washing machines.
Starting the drying process
The first step of the drying process is to soak up any excess water that is present around the top and sides of the item using a towel. The bottom of the electrical item will often prove to be the wettest part; so make sure you spend a decent amount of time drying it off.
Removing fascias
Remove any fascias and panels that can be taken off without having to completely open up the item. This will help to create a through-flow for air, which will greatly improve the flood restoration process. You should now place a fan so that it blows air into the inside of the item, repositioning it every 30 minutes or so to ensure that every nook and cranny is dried.
Leave it to nature
Most electrical items will not be damaged by water unless they are switched on. So if your items were not switched on when the flooding occurred there is a realistic chance that they will still be in working order. The biggest risk to the item occurs when you turn it on before it has fully dried, which can lead to an electrical malfunction. So the last stage of the flood restoration process is to stay strong against the temptation to turn the item on and leave it as long as you possibly can, before checking to see if it still works.
