All Nation Restoration - All Nation Restoration reveals common DIY water removal mistakes.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make During DIY Water Removal

Water removal requires professional experience from companies like All Nation Restoration for the best results. Homeowners attempting DIY water removal often fail to repair the problem, cause more damage to their home, or spend far more than anticipated. Learn the five most common mistakes homeowners make during DIY water removal.

1. Following Poor Safety Protocols

Water removal may seem easy, but homeowners who try to fix the problem often don’t know the safest way to approach the situation. Homeowners don’t typically own the proper protective gear required for safe contact with contaminated water, exposing them to dangerous bacteria. They also miss serious safety steps, such as turning off the electricity while trying to clean up water.

2. Using Non-Commercial Equipment

Residential-quality equipment works fine if a homeowner needs to clean up a minor spill. However, a floor under several inches of water requires professional cleaning equipment with a high price tag and a huge learning curve. University Hills, Austin, TX, homeowners won’t need water removal equipment often enough to justify spending the money and time learning how to operate it.

Some equipment the professional water removal experts at All Nation Restoration use include:

Moisture detectors and meters
Commercial low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers
Air blowers or high-velocity fans
Commercial-grade air purifiers
Self-propelled dump containers

3. Mistaking a DIY Job as All That’s Needed

Although the work a homeowner does to remove water from their home helps the situation, they should still contact a professional water removal business. Only an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company like All Nation Restoration understands how to meet proper water removal standards. The average homeowner doesn’t know how to:

Meet EPA requirements for water cleanup
Identify and treat specific water classes
Properly dispose of water
Avoid bacteria and microbes in the water

If water removal doesn’t also remove potential bacteria from the area, homeowners may face possible diseases in their homes. Only a professional water removal company can guarantee thorough cleaning.

4. Not Addressing the Source

Cosmetic water removal solves today’s problem, but what about tomorrow’s? A professional water removal company not only takes care of standing water but they identify and diagnose what’s causing a home’s water collection issues. Knowing where the water comes from lowers the chance of recurring water damage.

If water continues to collect, discovering the source tops the priority list for a professional water removal company. Homeowners may not know how to look for the source, so don’t let water build up repeatedly. Correct the problem the first time and save time, money, and headaches.

5. Waiting Too Long for Water Removal

Homeowners experiencing standing water in their homes for the first time often don’t understand the risks. While they may recognize the seriousness of the situation, they may avoid dealing with it because of the stress associated with water removal.

Unfortunately, waiting too long allows water to damage their homes further. Signs that a home has waited too long for water removal include: