Safe Water Damage Clean-Up Tips
Water damage can happen suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving homeowners to face the difficult task of cleaning it up quickly and properly. Water damage removal can be expensive and problematic for property and health if addressed promptly and appropriately from burst pipes, leaky roofs, or natural disasters. Time is of the utmost importance when dealing with water damage. The more time passes before taking action to address an issue, the worse its consequences can become. Acting quickly to minimize damage and prevent mold growth is key. Tidal Wave Response has put together these tips for cleanup.
Time Is of the Essence - Act Quickly
Quickly minimizing damage and stopping mold growth is at the core of any water damage cleanup effort. As more time passes without intervention, more damage occurs, and repairs become increasingly expensive.
At the first sign of water damage, switch off all water sources and extract moisture from affected areas as soon as possible. A wet/dry vacuum or mop and bucket may help; otherwise, a pump from a hardware store may be necessary.
Ventilate Affected Areas to Prevent Mold Growth
Mold growth is a significant threat when it comes to water damage. Mold can start growing within 24-48 hours after exposure to moisture, spreading quickly if left unattended. To mitigate mold growth, affected areas must be ventilated, and moisture should be controlled effectively in these spaces.
Open windows and doors using fans to circulate air and dry the area. If humidity levels are excessive, use a dehumidifier to extract excess moisture from the air; additionally, it would be wise to invest in a HEPA filter air purifier to detect and eliminate mold spores that might linger in the atmosphere.
Assess Damage to Property
Once all water has been removed from the area, evaluating its effects is essential. Assess any structural damages such as weak walls, ceilings, or floors, discolored areas on walls and ceilings, and damage to electrical systems and appliances.
If you are still determining the severity of the water damage to your property, it's wise to contact a professional water damage restoration company. They can assess it and provide an estimate for repairs.
Locate All Areas of Saturation
One of the first steps in water damage cleanup is locating all areas where there has been saturation of water, such as carpets, walls, or crawlspaces.
Utilize a moisture meter or infrared camera to identify pockets of hidden moisture. If any areas become saturated, such as with drywall or carpet, damage removal must be performed, and drying should take place thoroughly before reinstating materials such as these in their places.
Conduct a Thorough Cleaning
Once all standing water has been eliminated and pockets of saturation identified, cleaning the affected area thoroughly is essential. Apply disinfectant as soon as possible to kill bacteria or mold; scrub all surfaces using hot water mixed with detergent; use disinfectants if necessary to kill any remaining pathogens; scrub walls, floors, and furniture using hot water mixture as much as possible before beginning cleaning operations.
When dealing with contamination, such as sewage or polluted water, it's always wise to call professional water damage restoration services for the cleanup process.
Before Reconstructing, Make Sure Everything Is Dry
After cleaning the affected area, it must be scorched before reconstruction begins. Any moisture left behind could result in mold growth and further damage your property.
Use fans, dehumidifiers, and other drying equipment to dry the area thoroughly. To achieve this objective, flooring, drywall, or insulation may need to be removed to ensure everything dries completely before beginning reconstruction. Once everything has dried out completely, reconstruction can begin.
Tidal Wave Response
Tidal Wave Response understands the devastating nature of water damage, which is why we provide professional restoration services to homeowners and businesses. Our experienced technicians use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to quickly remove moisture from your property while assessing any damage and providing a comprehensive restoration plan to quickly return it to a pre-damage condition as efficiently and quickly as possible, minimizing disruption to life and business.
