How Can Pet Supplies Be Protected From Water Damage?

9/17/2020 (Permalink)

No matter when you make the call, SERVPRO has technicians who can assist you.

East Brunswick Homeowners Want To Protect Pet Beds and Food From Water Damage.

Pet owners living in East Brunswick know that our furry and feathered friends are like part of the family. Our pets bring joy and laughter into our lives – and they also take money, care, and commitment. It is natural to want to do the best by them while also being conscious of your budget. Pet care is not cheap!

Unfortunately, pet supplies are susceptible to water damage in East Brunswick, just like any other household items. Water damage can occur due to bad weather or rain seeping through the cracks in a windowpane, or underneath an ill-fitting door. Water damage can also happen because of a plumbing problem, a leaking appliance, or a sloping garden that lets water run towards your property.

Replacing pet supplies can be costly, so it is better to protect them if you can.

Which pet supplies are susceptible to water damage?

Water can quickly soak into:

• Large pet beds, such as for a dog
• Soft bedding materials for hamsters and gerbils
• Pet toys for animals and birds of all kinds
• Bags of pet food or treats
• Blankets, favorite cushions, or outdoor coats

More durable materials such as metal cages or wooden scratching posts are also in danger from water damage. Metal can rust if not properly dried, and wooden items can swell and warp.

Is there anything I can do to protect my pet supplies?

SERVPRO of East Brunswick / Princeton Meadows knows that preventing damage is essential. We are there for you whenever an incident occurs, but if you can avoid a disaster, that is even better.

Easy ways to protect your pet supplies include:

• Transferring food into watertight containers and keeping toys in containers when not in use
• Storing bedding, blankets, and dog beds in a dry area of your home, away from water sources
• Keeping pet supplies on raised shelves where possible
• Be mindful of water damage risks – keep your appliances in good order and ensure your garden has adequate drainage
• Deal with a problem as soon as they arise – do not ignore that leaky window or dripping faucet, but take action as soon as you notice something is amiss

What about medicine and documentation?

When water-proofing your pet supplies, do not forget about any medications your pets are on, and documentation such as vet papers, insurance, or microchip records. 

Store medications in a dry place out of the way of potential water hazards. You can invest in a watertight box. Keep papers in a watertight storage box too – and ensure you keep an electronic backup of all vital paperwork.

What should I do if water damage occurs?

Call SERVPRO at the first sign of trouble. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, and no job is too big or too small. We understand how tempting it is to begin cleanup yourself, but it is better to wait until our team arrives. We equip our people with all the training and tools they need to remediate water damage.

What can SERVPRO do to help?

Whether you are dealing with a leaking dishwasher, a burst pipe, or water seeping under a door, our team will assess the situation and decide an appropriate course of action. We discuss everything with you, so you are always in the loop.

Once the extent of water damage has been assessed, the first step is to mop up or pump out any standing water. For small leaks, a wand extractor and absorbent cloth might do the trick, but we have powerful free-standing and truck-mounted extractors on hand for more massive leaks. We also have rotary extractors in case there is water soaking into your carpet.

Our team will let you know what we can salvage and what must be replaced. We always aim to save items rather than toss them. We have many different cleaning methods at our disposal, including submersion cleaning, dry cleaning, and spot cleaning. 

We use dehumidifiers and air movers to dry over, under, and around waterlogged toys and beds. We also dry out carpets, baseboards, and anywhere else that has water damage. We use various tools, including moisture probes, moisture meters, and thermo-hygrometers, to monitor drying progress. SERVPRO technicians know that thorough drying is key to eliminating damp smells and preventing fungal growth, which is why drying is an essential part of our water remediation process.

We may also be able to use vacuum freeze-drying to rescue water-damaged papers.

The last stage is the deodorization. No-one wants their pet supplies smelling damp, so we use air scrubbers and spot cleaning to eliminate leftover smells.

What happens after SERVPRO leaves?

We want you and your pets to be happy. A week after our visit, one of our team managers will get in touch to make sure you are satisfied and answer any questions.

If you need help with water damage, call SERVPRO of East Brunswick / Princeton Meadows at (732) 432-9800.