Water Damage Restoration Tips

• Posted on HDNEditor
• in Home Maintenance
• on March 18, 2021
• Comments Off on Water Damage Restoration Tips

Having to deal with damage to your home is never easy. Whether you are facing small repairs in and around your house, or a full-on restoration, you always have to be strong mentally, physically, and financially. Water damage can range from small leaks to floods, and whatever you might be dealing with it is always important to take necessary precaution, and take certain steps to help restore your home to its previous glory. I wanted to learn more about what water can do to your living space so I decided to talk to guys over at Risk Fee Serv. Here’s what I learned:

Small, annoying leaks

These little leaks that you hear pounding in the bathroom every night you go to sleep are annoying. The fact that they are annoying is only the tip of the iceberg. This seemingly small issue will gradually grow, even though you hope it will go away itself.

Even if it doesn’t snowball into anything major, the amount of water leaked is going to show on your monthly bill. That money is wasted, and instead of waiting for the problem to worsen and practically force you to get help, it is better to react quickly and prevent even bigger breaks.

Make sure your home and your water bill remain consistent and contact a professional to look into this small and annoying leak as soon as possible.

Water damage

If there was some major leak, or even flooding you need to determine a few things. First, the volume of the water and what parts of your home were affected. After that you need to investigate what type of water you are dealing with. Besides the clean water that is generally safe for human contact, you might also be dealing with greywater which is wastewater that comes from your washing machine, laundry or showering. Blackwater is the most dangerous, it comes from industrial waste or sewers and it is definitely not recommended for human contact.

After you’ve finished the investigation it is time to determine whether you should deal with the damage on your own or ask for professional assistance.

Cut the power

Before assessing the problem it is important to disconnect the electricity to make sure you can safely operate. Every contact with water can be dangerous and lead to unwanted injury.

Mold

Mold goes hand in hand with any flooding. It doesn’t take long to grow as it thrives in moist areas. It is important to conduct a thorough investigation and scan your entire home. Mold is dangerous to human health, and before attempting any sort of restoration it is vital to be rid of any potential mold growth.

Drying process

After you’ve taken necessary steps to ensure it is safe to work you can start drying out the place. First you should take out all the furniture and appliances and decide what is worth saving. Also, materials like wood and drywall need to be disposed of if heavily damaged and then replaced. Carpet and insulation can also be soaked in water and create a perfect breeding ground for mildew, it is better to just replace them. When you’ve emptied your home you need to use big fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the drying. It is vital to create a good air circulation by opening all doors and windows.

Disinfection

This is the final step. When your home is safe from water, mold and mildew, one last touch of disinfection will make it habitable again. What you can simply do at home is use bleach and rub it against affected areas to destroy any bacteria. The disinfection process might prove more difficult if your home was damaged by grey or blackwater, then it is better to contact professionals.