Saltwater Damage
Water damage is not always as straightforward as it comes, especially when you must identify the water as either freshwater or the more dangerous saltwater. Freshwater typically comes from a burst pipe or other internal issue and saltwater’s source is natural disasters like a major storm or hurricane. Saltwater is often more dangerous because of salt’s corrosive nature.
Electrical Charge
Saltwater has an electrical charge, which makes water damage from flooding and other disasters dangerous if the electricity is on in your property. It is important to cut the electricity in your home as it fills with salt water to remove the electrical current.
Be sure to avoid standing saltwater if your electricity is on. If possible, evacuate to avoid electrical shocks or other dangers from saltwater damage. It is especially important to listen to emergency responders and/or restoration professionals in cases like these.
Mold and Mildew
Mold is a common concern for homeowners after water damage, especially if salt water is involved. Saltwater damage leads to a higher rate of mold growth than freshwater because salt retains more water. After the excess water has been removed from your property, be sure to let the area dry completely before painting or covering it up. Failure to do so could result in mold that grows unnoticed.
Mold and mildew are dangerous because they can cause damage to the structure of your building, and health problems to the residents of the property. Be sure to have saltwater damage removed quickly to avoid these perilous issues to your health and building.
Highly Corrosive
Saltwater is highly corrosive. This means that the salt will wear down the concrete and metal in your property. This could lead to severe structural damage. Salt corrodes these building materials slowly, so it may take years before the damage manifests. This is a big problem because structural damage can lead to structural collapse or other disastrous consequences.
Saltwater Damage Restoration
Saltwater floods and other causes of water damage are impossible to prevent, so the best course of action is to evacuate the area and follow the advice of local authorities. Only return to your property once a professional has assessed it for signs of damage or danger and has declared it safe for occupancy.
The first thing you should do once you return home is to safely turn off the water and electricity. This makes the area as safe as possible during the water damage removal process. Your plumbing and electricity may have been damaged during the water damage. If so, then it is unsafe to have standing water interact with loose electrical wiring.
Next, call a water damage restoration professional to remove saltwater from your home. Only experienced technicians can return your home to its original condition after serious damage from a natural disaster.
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You must contact a trained professional to remove the saltwater from your property if you experience water damage. The affected area must be flushed out with clean water, pumped away, and completely dried to prevent mold growth. The property will need both internal and external inspection before the restoration process can begin.