Leaky pipes, burst sewers, and natural disasters can cause water damage to your home and threaten your property and personal safety. Repair after water damage generally requires professional help, and here are some DIY steps that can help you minimize damage as much as possible.
What will be affected by water damage? Water is vital for life, but it can also destroy everything and leave you with a mess to clean up. As a homeowner, it's essential to understand what water areas can wreak havoc on your home. To be on the safe side, always check for damage in the following areas: drywall, plaster, insulation, wood, frames, floor coverings, wiring, plumbing, appliances, HVAC. Water damages the foundation of your home, and your vast repair bill could go up in smoke if you let it.
What should be considered before water damage repair? First, you have to decide whether to clean it up yourself or hire a water restoration team. You can do this based on several factors: If you have a small or moderate amount of water in your home, you have the right tools and can usually clean it yourself. However, with more water, it is best to ask a professional to clean. Also, before you can go into water damage recovery, you need to discover where the water is coming from. When you have a flood in your home, you need to know where the water is coming from. 1. Clean water: From rainwater or leaking pipes, this water contains no harmful chemicals and is safe to handle yourself. 2. Grey water: Grey water from leaking appliances such as dishwashers, toilets, or washing machines may be slightly contaminated. Take proper precautions when cleaning yourself. 3. Blackwater: Floodwater from a sewer or nearby water source, such as a river. Health hazards, the need for professional cleaning. In addition, you need to assess the damage level. The owner himself can usually handle minor damage to a home after water damage. However, severe damage must be repaired with professional help. For example, floodwater from the upper floors has seeped through the floor to the ceiling.
5 DIY Water damage Repair tips
Now that you've correctly assessed the situation consider these water damage repair tips to ensure the repair is done quickly. Note that wet materials start to mold after 24 hours, so you don't have time to wait! 1. Disconnect outlet. The first thing to do when you notice water damage in your home is to unplug all electronic devices immediately. While you may not yet see the severity of the water damage, it's essential to be careful around appliances and gas lines. Using the device in such circumstances could result in an electric shock or even an explosion. 2. Check the mold. Certain mold strains are toxic to humans and pose a severe health threat. In most cases, mold can spread once it has taken hold in an area, so it's in your best interest to check for growth to avoid any health hazards. You can cut off the affected area, pack it up, and deal with it immediately for minor problems. However, if there is a severe mold infection, you need to shut off any airflow to prevent contamination and call a mold expert. Often, mold can be found inside walls or floors, so it's essential to check this during the repair process. 3. Dry water out. You need to remove all moisture and dryness from the affected area before any more damage can occur. A fan or large capacity dehumidifier can circulate air to dry the surrounding materials such as carpet and wood. While this will not completely prevent mold growth, proper drying will help reduce damage. 4. Remove damaged materials. If porous materials such as insulation and carpets are soaked in water, they should be treated immediately to avoid mildew. It's essential to focus on the ceiling and floor first. In other words, unsealed cement, drywall, wood, etc., need to be replaced for the home structure to withstand water damage. 5. Disinfect remaining areas. Depending on the type of water you treat, it can contain many bacteria and other hazards that can cause health problems. It would be best if you disinfected the entire area before starting the restoration process. Spray and wipe the surface with bleach to prevent mold spores from growing.