Save The Memories - Tips For Recovering Irreplaceable Personal Items After A Flood

It takes a lifetime to accumulate the gifts, family heirlooms, and photos that make a house into home, and after a flood, they can all be wiped out in the blink of an eye. You may believe that your life's memories are all gone forever, but there is hope. Whether you have experienced a catastrophic flood that has left the structure of your house damaged or are just starting to look into water damage restoration, rescuing your personal effects and irreplaceable memories can be accomplished by following these critical tips.

1. Act Fast To Salvage Memories After Water Damage - The longer that your personal items stay submerged in flood water, the more severe the damage will be. Not all homeowners are in a position to enter their homes safely after a flood, but those who have the opportunity need to make fast decisions. Take proper steps to ventilate your home and protect your health with the right protective gear before you begin the recovery process.

2. Get Professional Water Damage Restoration - Companies that specialize in water damage restoration don't just work to get residents back into their homes, they help them to rebuild their lives. Express to the flood restoration company that you're working with the importance of having your pictures and other irreplaceable items recovered and see what it is that they can do. You will learn of the extent of the damage quickly, allowing you to find out what can be replaced versus what cannot.

3. Deal with Mildew and Mold - It isn't the water itself that is most damaging when recovering from a flood, it's the bacteria and mold that grows quickly afterward that's a problem. If you can get your items quickly and dry them out, the damage won't be substantial and you will be able to salvage more of your memories. Fans can be used to thoroughly and completely dry your personal items once they have been taken out of your home.

White vinegar is an excellent, non-toxic household product that can be used to wipe down surfaces that have been exposed to mold and mildew. Although white vinegar won't be able to be applied to all surfaces, you can use it on wood furnishings, vinyl surfaces, plastics, and upholstered items. After being wiped or saturated with vinegar, you may need to rinse them off with purified water in order to eliminate the odor of vinegar from your personal items.

To learn more about water restoration, contact local professionals.