Sharing Knowledge About Residential Plumbing

If your home has recently been flooded or otherwise incurred significant water damage, it is important to note that when you suffer from allergic asthma, you may need to take additional measures to protect your health. For instance, many asthmatics have found that their symptoms are triggered by mold, which can be triggered in as little as 12 hours from the time the water damage occurred. It is also common to experience wheezing or other exacerbations of your asthma symptoms due to the use of strong chemicals during the restoration efforts. When you are attempting some of the restoration for your home on your own after water and smoke damage, the following information will be very helpful. 

Remove And Dry Porous Items As Soon As Possible

Porous items will absorb water and quickly be waterlogged, creating an ideal spot for molds to form. Unfortunately, it can be quite challenging to remove all of the water, which can mean that some or all of the items in question cannot be saved. Furniture made of particle board and many carpets will frequently need to be disposed of after extensive water damage has occurred.  

Therefore, after donning the appropriate safety wear such as latex gloves and a medical mask to filter any impurities in the air that may be present, remove any porous items from the home. Once they are away from the standing water, removing water is easier and may provide better results, so forced air through the use of box fans or even hair dryers could be useful at that time. 

Stay Away From Areas Impacted By Fire Damage Or Smoke

While your first instinct might be to get smoky, burned, or chemically treated items out of your house, it is a better idea to wait for someone to do that task on your behalf if at all possible. While water damage may not trigger your asthma symptoms right away, you may find that the chemicals in a fire extinguisher and the smoky smells present throughout the home can send you into an attack almost immediately. 

That means that it might be necessary to wait for professional assistance and that you cannot assist with the bulk of the restorative efforts. Since smoke fumes and ashes can linger in the air long after the fire was put out, many asthmatics find that they cannot participate in the cleanup efforts after a fire. Your physician will be able to advise you about the most appropriate choices for your continued good health. 

In conclusion, water and smoke damage can cause significant problems after a fire. Since the use of chemicals and the presence of quick-growing molds are common triggers for people suffering from allergic asthma soon after water damage, you should be aware of the facts listed above when planning for the restoration. For more information, contact local professionals like Allen Plumbing.