Common Causes of Fire Risk After Flooding on Marco Island

10/21/2017 (Permalink)

Turning off the circuit breakers or even the main power switch when facing flooding in your home is important for you safety. Contact SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Technicians Take Precautions So That Damages Do NOT Compound After a Flood in Your Home

The last thing you may expect to exacerbate a flooding situation at your property on Marco Island is a structural or material fire. In fact, it happens more frequently than you might think, and can create a safety and property crisis. Learning from our experience and training can help you avoid this dangerous and costly situation.
 
Modern homes run and rely on dozens of electrical appliances. Refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and ranges rule the kitchen. Washers and dryers, water heaters, and HVAC systems fill utility rooms. Electronics, lighting, and even high-end adjustable beds must plug in to operate. We recommend you unplug all of these items and many more you may own not on the list. Also, shut off your circuit breaker panels when you face flood damage to your home.
 
Cutting the power avoids fire risk in Marco Island in two significant ways during flooding. First, the possibility of sparks that could create a blaze is minimized or eliminated. Second, the disconnected appliances and other items can be evaluated to ensure they are dry and undamaged before you attempt to use them again. If the power has been cut to your home during the flood, it is especially important to make sure everything that relies on electricity to operate cannot become “live” when the power restores. The surge in electricity, particularly to submerged plugged in items, may cause fires and put you at risk for electrocution. SERVPRO technicians help determine how to safely re-engage your appliances and electronics after the flood waters recede and the spaces dry.
 
If you fuel a stove, water heater, dryer, or HVAC system with gas, that supply must be shut off as well during flooding. The flow of natural or LP gas in any appliance or to run a generator can create an inferno, with the fire now floating on the flood waters. Flammable fluids of any kind can ignite as they do not mix with water, so oil lamps, kerosene lanterns, and even cleaning solvents, paints, and other chemicals can start a fire despite or even because of the flood. SERVPRO technicians are vigilant about safety when cleaning up flooded areas that also contain volatile substances, following the industry best practices learned during IICRC training.
 
Have wiring and piping inspected before reestablishing gas or electric power after flood water remediation. Hidden damage, shorts, or leaks may result in unexpected fires, including smoldering inside the recently dried walls. SERVPRO works with other experts to ensure the home we helped restore does not contain previously unknown fire hazards.
 
Flood damage need not lead to destructive fires. Follow the lead of the experts at SERVPRO of Naples / Marco Island, available round the clock at (239) 302-5700, to restore your home without risk of collateral damage.

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