06 Dec 6 Great Tips On Dealing With Water Damage
Drip. Drip. Drip. You almost cannot hear the annoying drip every time there is an open leak in your house. It doesn’t bother your mind after a few weeks. Most leaks are caused by leaky pipes or sewage backup. Although they can be devastating, they should not remain there for too long. Water damage can be dealt with quickly. How can homeowners deal with water damage?
#1 Identify the source
Some sources can be easily identified, such as broken pipes and natural catastrophes. The ones behind walls or ceilings can be harder to identify. It’s easy for homeowners to clean up damage from these sources because it’s clear water.
Grey water: Black water from appliances and toilets is the worst, as it could contain harmful bacteria. Experts do not recommend homeowners clean black or grey water on their own as it could contain bacteria that is harmful to their health.
#2 Turn off power
The next step after stopping water flow is to turn off the house’s gas and power. This is crucial if you’re dealing with floods or excess water. Make sure that your home is adequately insulated before handling any electrical appliances. Make sure to contact an Electrician If switching off the main electricity requires that you be in water.
#3 Dry The Area
Did you know mold and mildew can begin growing in 24 hours if standing water is not removed? There are likely to be water pools around low-lying areas. Remove as much furniture and other items as possible to dry the water.
To dry wet areas, fans or dehumidifiers are recommended. To remove humidity, you can use your air conditioner. If you have a flood, an industrial water extractor might be needed to remove the water.
#4 Look for hidden moisture
After draining the water and activating the fans or air conditioning to dry it, you need to check for hidden moisture. Hidden moisture can cause additional damage to your property, as it encourages mold growth, bacteria, or other contaminations.
Check underneath carpets and floorboards to make sure water has not sucked through them. Take the fans to the affected areas and dry them completely if it has.
#5 Do a mold inspection
Even if everything has been dried, that doesn’t mean it is perfect. Check for mold growth in areas where water is a problem. –
The best way to prevent mold growth is to remove it as soon as possible. But, you can clean up any mold that you find in a small area. Large areas that are affected by mold should be dealt with by professional Long Beach water damage restoration experts.
#6 Remove porous material and drywall
Water damage can cause water damage to your walls and other porous materials. Most cases will require you to replace damaged flooring or drywall. You can repair drywall if it is not too damaged. Drying the affected area as soon as possible is a good option if you don’t have too much water damage.
Make sure to inspect your roof and siding for any water damage. It is much more expensive to replace a roof than a wall, carpet, or other home improvements. Be thorough in inspecting any water-damaged areas. You should repair any cracks or holes in the siding and shingles that could allow water to escape.
Don’t forget to save valuable possessions such as money, jewelry, and documents. This will save you time and prevent water damage. Don’t let any electrical appliances go to work until they are fully air dried.