Risks After Flood Damage to Your Los Angeles Home

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is quick to get your flood damage under control in Los Angeles.

Safety is Priority After Floods Occur In Los Angeles

Los Angeles, because of its unique location in between the Pacific Ocean and the San Gabriel Mountains, is prone to flash floods caused by storms coming off of the Pacific Ocean hitting the mountains. After the floodwater recedes, homeowners have the business of cleaning up as fast as possible to make sure there is no secondary damage like warped walls, flooring, or dangerous mold infestations. 

Flood damage in your Los Angeles home requires special clean-up and care to ensure full restoration to preflood conditions. There are also health and safety concerns that you need to take into consideration as floodwater is classified as black water, or category three, contaminated water, requiring special handling. 

SERVPRO flood restoration specialists (General Contractor #999460) complete a hazard assessment to identify the safety risks and to implement controls of said risks. Some potential hazards after a flood include; overhead threats like ceilings that could collapse, the potential for electrical shock, slip and fall, contaminated water, and, most importantly, occupant safety. Some of these risks, such as slip and fall, are easier to mitigate than others, but all require serious attention.

There is a hierarchy of control for hazards. Most effectively, the hazard is eliminated, or a safer method works in substitution. For example, disabling electricity in a structure eliminates electrical hazards and creates a safer work environment. Another control is to design or engineer the work environment to avoid the hazard. In the case of a slip and fall hazard, an engineering control might be the use of walk-off mats; a simple, yet effective, solution. 

There are ways to administratively avoid hazards like completing second-floor work before first-floor work if there is an overhead hazard. The last control available is personal protective equipment (PPE); this means workers may wear a barrier to limit exposure to a hazard. PPE includes gloves, protective clothing, and masks worn to prevent skin exposure to contaminants such as black water or harsh cleaning solutions containing bleach and other chemicals. 

Hazard assessment and risk mitigation is just one of the first steps to restoration after a flood. Cleaning, drying, and repairing structural damage are also vital steps in the process. The SERVPRO goal is to make it "Like it never even happened." 

Contact SERVPRO of Silver Lake / Echo Park at (213) 628-2000 for 24/7 assistance. 

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