Lock Up Series: Water Damage Life Hacks pt 1

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House on Water

house-on-waterDepending on what part of the country you live, you may have to deal with frequent torrential downpours during rainstorms. Such large amounts of water coming down at the same time can cause serious flooding in homes.
Water tends to pool in the lowest point, which is usually the basement, the area most people use for storage. This is why it is best to put all sensitive items like paperwork, electronics and photos on shelving that keeps them off the floor and packed inside of large plastic containers that will protect them from dust, bugs, and you guessed it, water. In the event that your items are not packed in plastic or up on shelves, you may have to endure the heartbreaking task of sorting through and trying to save your personal items from the flood waters. In this three part series, we will give you some helpful life hacks to help you salvage what you can.

Before we get started, we want to suggest taking a pre-emptive strike at avoiding basement flooding disasters by storing your items in a Lock Up Self Storage unit. However, if it’s simply too late and you’re now dealing with water damage, here are some tips.

First you need to quickly assess what items can be saved, and what has been ruined by the flood. Any clothing, towels, bedding or textiles that are caught in a flood need to be washed immediately. All glass and plastic items should be wiped down with a cleaning solution.

Furniture made out of metal will be able to be easily cleaned. Upholstered furniture and mattresses easily soak up flood contaminants and most likely need to be discarded. If the furniture has a high personal value to you, there are possibilities for salvaging it, but they are expensive so it’s best to consult a professional. Wood furniture can usually be saved if it doesn’t sit in water for too long.

It’s recommended to quickly clear all items out of the flooded area and into a dry area. This is an ideal situation to get yourself a climate controlled Lock Up Self Storage unit. Your items will be in an environment free from dampness and hot temps, both of which can contribute to mold formation. You can spread out your items while you work on cleaning them without having to live amidst the clutter.
Also, the next time a heavy rain happens, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your items are stored in a safe secure location…away from the floodwaters rising in your basement.
Visit www.thelockup.com to secure your self storage unit quickly and easily online.