Water Damage Cleanup Tips and Tricks

Water damage can wreak havoc on homes and businesses, requiring everything from new drywall and furnishings to completely new structures. Suppose your home or commercial property has suffered water damage. In that case, you will likely need a water damage cleanup tips to lead you through the recovery process.

However, your first priority is safety. If the water damage is due to a flood, stay away from the area until government officials say it’s safe to return. When you can go back, take emergency supplies and cash with you.

Once you and your family are safe, call your insurance company so you can file a water damage insurance claim. Then, you can get started on assessing the damage and proceed with the water damage restoration process.

Water warps and disintegrates woods, ruins textiles and furnishings, corrodes steel, and can cause short circuits in your electrical supply systems. In short, water causes a lot of damage. For this reason, we will give you some important tips for water damage cleanup and repair.

Water Damage Cleanup Tips: The Destruction Water Causes

• First, wallboard and drywall: These porous materials act like a sponge and become fragile in a flood. Afterward, they may even remain contaminated if they are not properly disinfected.
• Second, plaster: This thick material may not need replacement, but it takes a very long time to dry. However, it can get severely cracked or warped. In that case, it will need replacement.
• Third, insulation: Be sure to hose down and dry out foam sheets of insulation. Meanwhile, muddy fiberglass batts should be thrown out. Finally, cellulose insulation, made of blown-in treated paper, will need to be removed and replaced.
• Solid wood: Furniture and other solid wood items may warp and crack following water damage, but they can usually be saved when dried out completely.
• Particleboard and laminated wood: These materials may separate and weaken after getting wet and usually need to be replaced.
• Moreover, wood studs and framing: These solid pillars are usually fine if they dry completely. Nevertheless, they must be disinfected.
• Floor coverings: Most carpets and laminated coverings must be thrown out after a flood or water damage. However, a professional cleaner may be able to save a small rug or valuable carpets. Regardless, immediately remove them from the site.
• Furthermore, pipes and electrical wiring: Floods can float or break pipes and strip electrical wiring. In addition, water damage can also affect these elements of the structure.
• Appliances: Damaged appliances can leak harmful and explosive gases into the air, electrocute and leak water. Therefore, be sure to get them checked by a professional.
• HVAC: Heater and air conditioner units can become flooded and damaged. As a result, they may have their internal electrical systems spoiled. In addition, venting systems can flood and become contaminated. In conclusion, you must have them verified, cleaned and repaired by a professional.

A Guide to Water Damage Cleanup: How Professionals Do It

Once you have identified the water damage and the source of the moisture has been addressed then, it is time for water damage restoration, cleanup and repair. The following tips will help you in this process:

Water Damage Cleanup Tips #1: First, contact your insurance company

As soon as you become aware of the water damage, contact your insurance company for instructions on how to proceed with cleanup and restoration. Suppose the water damage is significant enough to require you to call a professional. In that case, they will need to authorize work and begin your claims process.

Water Damage Cleanup Tips #2: Second, assess the water damage cleanup process immediately

No matter what caused the water damage, time is not on your side. Therefore, you must act quickly. Water damage cleanup doesn’t happen by itself.

Whether the water damage is from a plumbing issue, a broken appliance, or a natural disaster or storm, it’s a serious problem that needs immediate professional attention. With this in mind, remember that the faster the water damage cleanup occurs, the less damage the property will suffer.

Moreover, the amount of demolition depends on how quickly water removal takes place. In addition, mold starts to grow within 24 hours of the water damage.

So call your insurance company and a professional water damage restoration service immediately after the damage.

Water Damage Cleanup Tips #3: Then, address safety concerns

Most importantly, do not enter the damaged area without conducting a safety assessment.

Depending on the extent of the damage, it may not be safe for you to enter the building since water damage can weaken the structure. In fact, if the ceilings are sagging, do not enter the building at all.

Furthermore, be sure the electricity in the building has been shut off. Submerged electrical appliances and electronics can cause serious electrical shock.

If the area has been underwater for more than 24 hours, wear a mask to avoid inhaling mold spores.

Last but not least, keep in mind that the floor will be slippery, and objects may have shifted during the flooding. Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of injury in water damage cleanup projects.

It’s best to leave any sort of restoration and cleanup to the experts. But if you must enter the property, make sure that you always wear the proper protective gear.

Water Damage Cleanup Tips #4: Afterwards, remove standing water

A water damage cleanup service will use wet-dry vacuums to remove small pools of standing water. In addition, they might also use towels to soak up water on moist surfaces.

However, if the water damage cleanup process is severe, they will need heavy industrial water pumps for water extraction.

Water Damage Cleanup Tips #5: Once the standing water is removed, it’s time to dry out the personal property

After removing standing water, a water damage restoration company will thoroughly dry the building and building materials.

For example, they might open all windows and set up large industrial fans or dehumidifiers to speed the process.

How long it will take to dry the property will depend on the amount of water involved and the extent of the flooding. The biggest factors that influence drying time are location, amount and duration of water saturation, and the water source.

Your restoration company should perform ongoing moisture content readings to ensure that drying is happening in the most effective way.

Water Damage Cleanup Tips #6: Then, remove unsalvageable building materials and household items

Suppose the damage to building materials has made them unsalvageable. In that case, you will want to remove them from the property so that you can expedite the drying process.
Moreover, any wet items need to be taken out of the property in order to clean and dry them properly. Meanwhile, carpets and upholstery will most likely need professional cleaning.

Furthermore, remove all the furniture from a water-damaged area as not only will the water ruin the furniture, wood and metal furniture that gets wet can leave stains on the carpet.

Water Damage Cleanup Tips #7: Finally, mold remediation

As mentioned before, any dampness that lasts for more than 24 hours may result in mold and mildew on the walls. Therefore, your restoration cleaning service should be well equipped and trained to remove mold.

Once the water damage remediation company finishes cleaning the mold off, raising your property’s temperature is essential to prevent mold re-infestation. Professional restorers use electrical dehumidifiers and industrial fans to keep the house warm and dry.