Last Updated on December 16, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
Water and flood damage can be a huge headache for any homeowner. Not only is it a hassle to clean up, but it can also be expensive. This article will discuss some tips on properly dealing with water and flood damage in your home. Follow these tips, and you will minimize the damage caused by water and floods.
Determining Where It Came From
Determine where it came from and how much damage has been done. Once this information is determined, you will need to decide what needs fixing and how much money it will cost for repairs or replacement items.
Suppose your house is not insured against floods. In that case, you should contact an insurance company immediately after discovering the damage caused by flooding so they can assess its extent and provide coverage options that may be available to you.
Use a Water Removal Service
It is vital to hire a professional cleaning and restoration company as soon as possible. Their expertise is always helpful when it comes to preventing or reversing damage around the affected areas. If you have carpet, wet-dry vacuums will not be able to get out all the excess moisture from your carpets because they only pick up so much at a time. A water removal company specializes in removing all excess water from a home, and they have the equipment to do so. You can find these services online or in your local phone book. You can even read online reviews or ask friends for referrals. What to look for in water removal services?
- Free estimates
- Proper licensing and insurance coverage
- A background check on their employees
- Completed work promptly
Clear All Standing Water
After you have used an extraction service, it is essential to ensure there is no standing water left inside your home. If there is still any standing water around, the damage may worsen over time because mold can grow and spread throughout your home. Take out any rugs or furniture that have been soaked through and get rid of wet insulation or materials from collapsed ceilings. You can use fans and dehumidifiers in rooms with damp walls and floors to further reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth.
Perform A “Wet Test”
Once no standing water is present in your home, perform a wet test to ensure all the excess moisture has been removed from the walls and floors. To do this, use a blacklight to look for leftover moisture. This test will require you to turn off all the lights in your home and turn on a black light. Any remaining moisture in your home should be visible under the black light.
Dry Out All Non-Porous And Porous Materials
You can dry non-porous materials such as wood, metal, and glass with air movers and dehumidifiers. You can also clean them with soap and water. Porous materials such as drywall, carpet, wood floors, and concrete need to pull their excess moisture out by air movers and dehumidifiers. You should wait at least 48 hours before attempting to clean these types of materials with soap and water.
Tackle Mold and Mildew Issues
It would be best to tackle this next because of mold and mildew. You can do this by thoroughly cleaning the affected areas with bleach or hydrogen peroxide to kill the spores that cause it. Ensure you read instructions for safety reasons. Another way is to use an ozone machine to treat the air. This machine produces ozone gas that kills mold spores and will also help prevent future growths as long as it is used correctly.
Check For Leaks And Cracks
After two weeks have passed, you should begin to inspect your home for leaks and cracks that may have occurred during the flood. It is crucial to repair these problems right away, as they worsen over time. It will save you a lot of trouble later on because mold and mildew growth will be much harder to prevent once water damage has already occurred.
Clean Your Home
Once you have removed all of the excess water and allowed for proper air circulation throughout the house, you can begin to clean up any remaining debris with soap and water. Be sure to wear gloves during this process so that you do not come into direct contact with harmful chemicals or dirt particles. You should also be wearing an N95 mask to avoid inhaling these harmful chemicals or dust particles near your face.
Stay Out of Home Until Repairs Are Done
Once everything has been removed from your home, you should stay somewhere else until any further damage is fixed or repaired by an experienced restoration company or repairman. By staying out of the house during repairs, you avoid breathing in any possible toxins and bacteria inadvertently left behind by workers. Please don’t ignore this advice because the longer you wait to fix water damage during a flood, the worse it can get.
If you have any questions or concerns about water or flood damage, don’t hesitate to contact a professional cleaning and restoration company. They will be more than happy to help guide you through this difficult time. Remember, it is vital to take action as soon as possible to prevent further damage from occurring.
