Should You Throw Away Items Exposed to Black Water?

1/20/2018 (Permalink)

Black water is an extremely dangerous substance to enter your home after a flood. This is water exposed to sewage, so it often contains hazardous substances, including fecal matter. It carries pathogens and can result in many problems, which is why it is so critical to hire a water damage remediation professional in Eagan, MN to come out to your property right after flooding.

Items To Throw Away

As a general rule, it is almost always recommended to toss items exposed to black water, particularly those that are porous. Porous objects are those that absorb liquids and gases, and they include:

• Carpets
• Rugs
• Upholstery
• Clothing

It is sometimes possible to salvage paperwork exposed to flood water. These files must be handled by professionals, who can dry them off to the point where the writing is still legible. You need to make photocopies, and afterward, you can throw away the original documents.

Additionally, drywall almost always needs to be torn out. Drywall exposed to any kind of water damage, whether it came from clean or black water, is usually unusable after the fact. A professional team in Eagan, MN will have to tear out the drywall and any insulation behind it.

Items To Possibly Keep

Nonporous items can occasionally be salvaged. However, they need to be cleaned thoroughly after exposure to contaminated water. This goes beyond simply scrubbing them down with a sponge. The professionals you hire to extract water from your home should have the tools necessary to clean up your belongings.

Homeowners should always follow the advice given to them by expert cleaners. If a water damage restoration professional says an item is too far gone, then it is best to simply throw it out. Visit http://www.SERVPROeaganapplevalley.com for more information on storm damage.