8 Critical Tips for Water Damage Repair

Large-scale water damage is one of the most terrifying nightmares homeowners can face. Water damage can quickly spread and act as a medium for mold growth. It is dangerous and costly. Water damage can cause serious problems in your home.

• Drywall and wooden Studs
• Framing
• Carpet is one of the most popular flooring materials.
• Ceiling materials such as plaster and sheetrock can be used.
• Other utility systems include piping, wiring and other connections
• The majority of appliances
• HVAC systems
• Insulation
• Plus, many other things

There are many steps you can take that will reduce the damage caused by water and help prevent it from getting worse. This article will provide helpful information about water damage hazards and offer tips for water damage repair.

Learn the Differences in Water Types

According to the Natural Resource Defense Council there are three types of contaminated water that could cause damage to your home. These are clean water (Category 1) and grey water (Category 2), as well as blackwater (Category 3)

Every kind of water comes with its own risks and hazards. Some may require professional help to get rid of it. It is important to know the type of water you are dealing with before beginning DIY water damage repairs.

Water purification

Category 1 water is also known as freshwater, clean water or snow runoff. It comes from rain, leaky pipes and condensation. Although it is not wastewater, clean water may still cause property damage.

For the most part, clean water is free from dangerous chemicals and hazardous substances. This water can cause minor damage such as a leaky pipe or a faulty seal.

Clean water can cause severe damage in certain cases, such as a bursting of a water main or a faucet left on overnight. This water is safest and easiest for homeowners to clean up. Most DIY methods are available. The average cost to remove clean water is between $3.75 and $4.50 per square feet.

Grey-water

Grey water (sometimes spelled gray water or Category 2 water) is the wastewater from washing machines and sinks. Some contaminants in grey water are caused by the appliances it has been through, including food particles and less harmful chemicals such as detergents.

The source of grey water contamination can vary. The source of grey water can vary depending on its quality.

Grey water can be cleaned by homeowners in either case, but it requires more safety precautions that clean water. When handling or cleaning grey water, safety glasses and thick rubber gloves should be worn. Grey water removal costs $4.00 to $6.50 per square feet if you choose to use a service.

Blackwater

Blackwater is the most dangerous type of domestic wastewater. It comes from toilets and sewage systems as well as flooding from rivers or lakes. Blackwater contains dangerous contaminants such as:

• Urine
• Fecal matter
• Organisms that cause disease
• Toxic chemicals
• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Molds
• Protozoans
• Other pathogens

This type of wastewater is a serious health risk. Only trained professionals should handle it with the appropriate equipment and protective gear. Blackwater is the most harmful form of water to your home.

Blackwater floods require that porous materials such as drywall, carpeting and upholstered furniture be removed and replaced because of their unsanitary nature. Blackwater removal costs $7.00 to $8.00 per square feet.

Turn off the water source and disconnect the power

First, locate the source of flooding or a leak and turn it off. This is easy for appliances and sinks as there will be a water connection behind the appliance that has a shutoff valve.

For a burst pipe that is located inside a wall, ceiling, or floor, this can be difficult. You can usually see the pipe and follow it until you locate its shutoff valve . It looks something like a small red circular wheel. This wheel should be turned until the water stops flowing.

For unseen pipes and large water main leakages, you will need to shut off the water main at your house. The location of main shutoff valves is not standard. They can be found anywhere you look. You can turn off water supply to your home by finding the valve.

If the leak doesn’t stop, it could be that there’s still water in your home’s system from which the pipe is drawing. To reduce the amount of water in the pipes, turn on all faucets and showers to stop the leak.

Take out water

It can be difficult to drain large amounts of water after a flood. For large amounts of water standing, pool pumps are the best option. However, a vacuum cleaner or a large mop bucket will work well for smaller amounts. Fans or dehumidifiers can be used to pull out any remaining moisture and speed up drying in affected areas.

Keep an eye out for mold

Mold can explode in a home within 24 to 48 hours if it is exposed to the right conditions (e.g. floods or severe water damage). Many homes already have minor mold problems. Mold can quickly grow if exposed to moisture from water. After you have removed all water from your house, be sure to watch for mold growth.

Mold can grow in places that are difficult to spot, such as under carpets, behind appliances, and behind large objects.

Some molds can cause severe long-term health problems such as asthmatic inflammations, memory loss, fatigue, and even memory loss.

Although small patches of mold can be managed, large-scale mold infestations should be handled by professionals. If you suspect that there is a serious mold problem, turn off the airflow and do not enter the area.

Get rid of porous and damaged materials

Porous materials must be removed in the event of flooding or other severe water damage. These materials absorb large amounts water and can become permanently damaged or harbor mold and mildew.

These materials, particularly in cases of blackwater or grey water damage, are often beyond salvaging. These porous materials are most commonly disposed of.

• Drywall
• Carpet
• Upholstered furniture
• Insulation
• Mattresses
• Rugs

If you clean small objects quickly and thoroughly, such as pillows, blankets, clothing and pillows, you can save them. Anything that is too large to fit in a washing machine will be affected by mildew and should be thrown away.

Deep Clean Surfaces

After everything has been thrown out, you can disinfect any flooded surfaces thoroughly. A good bleach solution will usually be your best option. These bleach solutions are inexpensive and easy to make. They kill bacteria and prevent the growth of mold on solid surfaces. Safety goggles, gloves, and a mask are required.

After you have donned your outfit and have the bleach solution ready, wipe each surface clean, rinse and dry. It is important to act quickly. It is important to clean up surfaces quickly in order to prevent mold spores from spreading.

Assess the damage

The hard part begins after you have cleaned up everything. Now you will need to assess the extent of the damage caused by the flooding.

Water damage can range from minor to severe, depending on how much water was left behind and how long it was allowed the spread. This is a critical step because water damage can cause irreparable damage to hard-to-reach areas such as floor joists.

Ceilings

When water is absorbed into porous materials, ceilings are most at risk of structural damage. Ceilings can be quickly destroyed by water absorption into porous materials.

Spots or minor sagging can be caused by small leaks. Burst pipes can cause holes, dips or complete collapses. You must find the source of water damage to a ceiling and stop it from spreading. You will then need to remove damaged sheets rock or tiles and paint the ceiling.

Flooring

Unfortunately, flooring is very susceptible to water damage. Sometimes the damage is minor and only requires a quick cleaning. However, it is more common to have to replace parts of the floor. Water damage can occur to almost every component of your floor, including the padding and joists.

Joists and supports can cause the most severe damage. Wood is porous and will quickly absorb moisture, which can lead to swelling, warping, cracking, and warping.

You will need to take out the carpet and tear down the floorboards in order to assess the extent of the damage. If you have a ceiling above the carpet, however,

You will be able to see the extent of the damage from below, which is a good thing. It can be dangerous to replace large flooring sections, especially wooden ones. If you feel that major renovations are necessary, you should consult a professional.

Drywall

Water seeps into drywall and it becomes brittle. This is due to the fact that drywall absorbs moisture extremely well and can cause mold growth and sagging. It is relatively easy to replace drywall.

You can remove a section of a sheet that is not covered and then replace it with another piece. In the event of flooding, however, you will need 4 feet of drywall removed. If it is more than 2.5 feet high, the entire sheet must be removed.

Caulking and Seals

After you have installed new materials, you will need reseal everything and re-caulk it to prevent any future leakages.

Flooding can cause damage to the caulking or sealing of affected areas if it gets wet enough. It is a good idea to inspect areas that have been completely replaced and reseal those areas.

Get Homeowners Insurance

Flooding damage that is severe can prove to be too much for you to manage on your own. You should always check with your insurance company for coverage in the event of severe water damage.

Major, unforeseeable events such as burst pipes and broken water mains will likely be covered. However, minor causes such as leaky pipes and damaged appliances will not.

Floods that are caused by natural disasters or “acts by God”, as insurance providers refer to them, do not fall under standard policies. You can however purchase flood insurance separately. The right insurance policy can help you with water damage restoration and repair.

Home warranties don’t cover water damage and restoration services. However, they can often be used to cover the source of the damage such as a leaking pipe, a broken appliance or a faulty seal.

Conclusion

Water damage is one of the most difficult and costly problems homeowners face. Water damage can cause serious health problems and requires quick action.

If the worst happens, you can take quick action and keep your cool.