Where Do You Begin After Water Damage
When floodwaters move away, many homeowners wonder what to do next and in what order. How to dry out a flooded house or basement is the main goal. You can reduce the cost of rehabilitation. Take these steps first to begin to repair the damage, dry out your home and minimize flooding effects in the future.
After a structure is flooded due to storm, hurricane or other disaster many homeowners do not know what actions to take next. There are steps to take to mitigate water damage and reduce the expense of restoring your home. Every water-damaged structure presents unique circumstances and no one solution will resolve every type of damage.
Think Safety First
Before you can restore your home, you have to clean up the disaster. Always when working on any project, think safety first. There are molds and bacteria and there are dangerous. Anyone working in the area will want to wear personal protective gear (masks, gloves, footwear, etc.). The first order of business is to clean up. Receding water leaves a mess. Mold and bacteria begin to multiply. Wear protective wear, masks, gloves, rubber boots or protective footwear.
Inspection
Make a safety inspection. Check for any hazardous situations, which include structural damage, electric hazards, pathogenic bacteria, mildew and mold. Address the found hazards immediately.
Remove Water and Dry Out Your Basement
In some scenarios, the amount of water on the main floor or in the basement is considerable. Extract water by using a Shop Vac with a pump or a submersible water pump. How to use a Shop Vac for water is worth exploring. The cost of either the Shop Vac with a pump or a submersible water pump will be less than the cost of paying to have your home pumped out.
Demolition
Remove all water-damaged items. Furnishings, cabinets, paneling, drywall, carpet, trim, doors etc were touched by water demo them. The work is labor intensive, time consuming and dirty. Make the decision whether you will be a DIY or hire a professional.
When hiring water migration professionals budget your costs, they can add up quick. On the other hand, a restoration professional’s opinion is of considerable value.
Get the Air Moving
- Move air naturally, open windows and doors for air circulation.
- Move air mechanically, with the use of high-powered floor fans.
- When the air is dry, it will wick moisture out of the walls and floors.
Temperature, moisture level, paper, drywall and wood contribute to bacterial and microbial growth. This can begin forming in 48–72 hours. Allowing mold, mildew to grow will increase remediation costs. So start the drying process as soon as possible.
Box fans and most dehumidifiers cannot compare to professional ones but they can help. Use what you have and place them throughout the affected area. The water granules will become airborne and aid in evaporation. A dehumidifier will remove this humidity from the air.
Sanitize and Disinfect
Remove water damaged and other damaged items. Remove anything that dirty water has contacted. Drywall must be flood cut, carpeting, wood trim, doors, water heater, paneling are materials most likely destroyed. Once removed clean up the affected remaining areas, floors and walls with a good disinfectant. When everything is clean, disinfect a final time.
It is a regular practice to use a bleach solution for disinfecting. There are a number few green products are effective and safe to use. Always read the labels and ensure you are wearing protective gear when required.