Household accidents involving water can be devastating to your property, prompting the need for flood cleanup, water extraction, and mold remediation. Fortunately, many water mishaps are simple to avoid. Here are a few tips for preventing an accidental flood from ruining your home.

3 Easy Ways to Avoid Household Floods

1. Don’t Leave Running Water Unattended

In today’s busy world, it’s easy to get distracted during your everyday routine, but this could be a messy and costly mistake. Always stay in the bathroom while you’re filling the tub, and don’t let it get so full that water splashes out when you or your children get in. When watering your lawn or garden, keep an eye on the hose or sprinkler until the job is done. If you need to irrigate your property when you’re not home, invest in a timer that will shut off the water automatically.

2. Be Careful What You Flush

Nothing should ever get flushed down the toilet except bodily waste and toilet paper. Dispose of feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, wipes (even flushable ones), and other household products in the trash, not the toilet. Teach kids that the toilet is not a plaything or a garbage can. Children are often fascinated by flushing, but if you let them experiment with putting toys or other items in the toilet, you may end up with a flood cleanup situation on your hands.

3. Protect Your Kitchen Drains

Because cooking oil and hot grease are liquids, you might be tempted to dispose of them down the kitchen sink. However, these substances will solidify as they cool and cause clogs in your pipes. To avoid the need for flood cleanup, pour used oil in a sealable container, let it harden, then throw it away in the trash. Also, get in the habit of cleaning out your dishwasher filter and checking the hoses periodically to make sure they aren’t about to burst and flood your kitchen.

If an accidental flood occurs in your home, it’s time to call the professionals at SERVPRO of Kailua North / Laie in Kaneohe, HI. The locally owned and operated company provides a full range of property damage cleanup services for residential and commercial clients. Count on their team for flood cleanup, fire damage restoration, and mold remediation. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or call (808) 235-5015 for 24/7 emergency assistance.