Water damage is a difficult problem for home and business owners to avoid since it may occur in a variety of ways. Mother Nature may wreak havoc on your house or company due to excessive rain or flooding. Internal problems with your property, such as pipe leaks or breaks, can cause significant water damage.
Regardless of the source, it is critical to obtain water damage repair as soon as possible to avoid further problems. The longer water damage remains unaddressed, the more time it has to worsen. Many popular building materials are porous, they absorb and will continue to absorb excess water and moisture. Mold growth can also begin within 24 hours after the original damage as a result of the water damage. Knowing this, it is in everyone’s best interest to perform water damage repair methods as soon as possible.
1. Identify The Water Source
At any given moment, homes generally have three distinct types of water running through them.
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The first category is referred to as pure water.
This water is caused by rain and leaking pipes and is the easiest for homeowners to clean themselves.
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The second category is gray water.
It is emitted by household equipment such as washing machines, dishwashers, and toilets. This water may include pollutants, making thorough cleaning more difficult.
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The third category is known as black water.
It contains sewage as well as other pollutants. This water is dirty and might have come from a neighboring river. We do not suggest doing water damage repair caused by black water since it may include hazardous pollutants and bacteria.
2. Dry The Location Immediately
It’s necessary to respond fast when doing a water damage repair. If the water is left alone for 24 hours, mold and mildew might begin to form. To dry out the damaged area, remove as much of the furniture as possible and position fans on the damp ground and walls. If the water damage is severe, you may need to rent a couple industrial power fans to guarantee the area thoroughly dries.
3. Check For Hidden Moisture
We suggest doing an examination of your house once everything has been removed from the enclosure and fans have been set to begin the drying process to determine if there are any hidden places that may require water damage repair. Check under the floors and the padding beneath the carpet to check whether water has gotten into these areas. If this is the case, be sure to install fans in the affected areas to ensure that everything is fully dry.
4. Check For Mold Growth
Once everything is dry, search your home for areas of water damage where mold may have begun to develop. Be cautious if mold is discovered. Some molds are toxic and dangerous to humans. If the mold problem is minor, you may be able to complete the water damage repair process without the assistance of a professional. An invasive mold problem, on the other hand, should be handled by a qualified plumber.
5. Drywall And Other Porous Materials Should Be Removed
If you detect water damage to your house’s walls, carpet, wood, or other porous materials, you must remove and replace them. If you discover carpet or wood that does not require major water damage repair, you may be able to preserve certain sections by drying them out as soon as possible.
6. Sanitize The Area
Take the time to clean the areas affected by your water damage repair efforts to verify that all mold and germs have been removed. A basic bleach solution should be enough. Make sure to sanitize any objects that were in the affected area to ensure that any mold or bacteria is removed.
7. Safely Inspect The Roof And The Siding
If your roof or siding is not secured properly, you may face an expensive water damage repair project as a result of excess moisture. Check your home for possible weak points and repair or replace siding and shingles as needed to keep water outside.
8. Caulk And Seal
We recommend sealing and caulking new windows, plumbing fixtures, floors, and entrances to avoid future repair tasks caused by moderate to severe water damage.
9. Reconsider Replacing Your Flooring
If water has ruined your flooring, forcing you to remove and replace it, you may want to reconsider putting in new flooring. Instead of using wood, there may be waterproof alternatives available such as ceramic tile and waterproof vinyl. These options may resist future flooding disasters.
10. Get In Touch With Your Insurance Company
Extensive water damage repair in your house is not something you should do on your own. Inquire with your homeowner’s insurance carrier about your possibilities for assistance. Work with your insurance provider every step of the way to ensure that your house is clean, secure, and safe.
A Water Damage Repair and Restoration Company Serving St. Louis, MO
Call Pride Cleaning And Restoration, Inc. at (314) 668-1223 today for 24 hour water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, or mold remediation along with any of our other services or get an instant quote from our website. Our Water Damage Restoration Company will get to your Missouri home and help you with your water damage repair in 30 to 60 minutes.
To learn about what you can expect in the water cleanup process, click here!
Thanks for pointing out that determining the pollutants can also part of water damage restoration services. I’d like to look for such services soon because I plan to get some pipe repairs down in my basement. Assessing the water damage down there will also be an essential part of the process.
Checking everything around the water-damaged area for any possibility of mold growth sounds important for sure. If you don’t do this, you could end up leaving behind a chance for an infestation to grow and take over your home, leaving lots of damage and destruction behind. I’ll look for a water damage expert that can help us manage this better when we get some free time to check on the basement where the problem happened.