How to Safeguard Tools During a Flood

Flooding is a common disaster in Greensboro that occurs due to the unplanned and unexpected overflow of water. During floods, a major worry is the damage they can do to power tools and other electronic appliances that can cost a fortune. It’s not just the inconvenience of usability issues that you run into but also the risk of electrocution during use.

There are a few measures you can take to protect your tools during a flood. Here is a step-by-step guide you can follow.

Turn Off the Main Switch

During a flood, you should disconnect the power supply completely to protect the appliance from major damage. Doing so will also protect you from the risk of electrocution.

This applies to computers, phone chargers, surge protectors, power tools, and other appliances that are usually connected to electricity. Disconnecting the power also keeps your responders safe and reduces the chance of current running through the water.

Note that if the room where the electrical box is located is flooded with water, do not approach the outlet. You may have to call water damage specialists in Greensboro to disconnect the power supply safely and isolate the appliances from the flood.

Watch Out for Leaks

Depending on the extent of water damage, leaks may or may not occur from appliances such as ovens and other cooking ranges. If you suspect or detect a gas leak, you can leave the house right away and call 911 to reach the fire department.

Keep the Tools Elevated

Once you know that flooding is imminent, you should rush to move your power tools and electrical appliances to an elevated position. Try to recall the locations of all your electrical appliances that are currently on the flood and move them up. If your PC is located under the computer table, you should place it at a higher level until the flooding event has passed.

Your drills and vacuums could be on a low-lying area of the house. You probably also have video game consoles (such as PlayStation and Xbox) next to the ground.

All these tools may get damaged in the event of a flood. Try to store all of these items a few inches off the ground. Your priority should be to get the tools out of the house, but if you can’t, at least elevate them as much as you can.

Store the Power Tools in Waterproof Boxes

You can minimize the risk of water damage to your power tools by storing your electronics in a waterproof cabinet. As an extra measure, put all your devices in a waterproof, re-sealable bag and put them in a waterproof container.

Some flooding events may catch you by surprise, so you may not get enough time to do this. However, you can plan ahead and buy waterproof containers to store your items in the event of a flood.

It’s one less thing to worry about when water damage becomes less likely.

Store Your Tools Elsewhere

If your house is being flooded, you may not get much time to prepare. However, you can use one safety measure to protect your tools. This includes removing them from your home. This, of course, only applies to items that you don’t plan on using in the foreseeable future. Store the tools in waterproof containers and move them elsewhere, preferably a storage facility that you can rent at a manageable price.

The Problem with Larger Appliances

Larger appliances such as refrigerators and ovens may be too heavy for you to carry on your own. If possible, you can try to raise them up on cement blocks and wood. However, if you cannot raise the items, consider shielding them with something waterproof, such as a floodwall.

What if the Tools Get Wet?

Water can make its way into tools. It can also carry small debris such as silt, soil, and stones that can clog passages in fuel lines, corrode electrical components, block air passages, and cause short circuits that can be deadly. If you suspect that water has breached your tools, do not use them. The machine should be inspected, cleaned, and thoroughly dried by an experienced water damage professional in Greensboro before it is used again.

In the case of larger machines that draw more power, you need to be extra careful about usage. These machines will have to be drained and dried properly before being used again. In many cases, the process may include disassembling the machine completely.

All electronic tools will require cleaning and, in some cases, may need to be replaced.

Get in Touch with a Water Damage Restoration Company

One item you should keep accessible after a flood is the contact information of the nearest water remediation company in Greensboro. By contacting a water damage expert as early as possible, you can start restoration work right away and mitigate the damage done.

You can always get in touch with the 911 Restoration of Greensboro team to protect your assets from floods in Greensboro.