Water damage or plumbing problems caused by flooding leave the unpleasant task of cleaning up and repairing. Deciding how best to deal with the water damage when the waters recede can be challenging. Acting quickly and following these ten tips can reduce wear and make it easier and faster to restore your property.

Check for potential safety hazards before entering a flooded building. First, make sure to cut off all electricity and gas supplies. Determine if wild animals and poisonous insects have been washed into the building. Be careful of debris in floodwaters. In addition, floodwater may contain chemical and biological pollutants to take protective measures. After resolving the security risks, it is also necessary to identify the type of flood. There are three types of floods: clear water, gray water, and black water. The water comes from rainwater and leaking pipes so that it can clean itself. Greywater comes from washing machines, dishwashers, and toilets, which are not easy to clean because of possible contaminants. Blackwater contains contaminants and bacteria, and it is not recommended to clean it yourself.

When repairing water damage, pay close attention to conditions conducive to mold growth because mold can produce harmful or toxic spores that can cause severe respiratory problems. Some molds produce toxins that can even cause health problems. Therefore, to dry out flood-affected areas, place fans on wet floors and walls.

Water erodes buildings, causing cracks and structural weakness. Therefore, once the contents of the building are moved outside, the drying work should be carried out immediately. We recommend that some hidden areas also be examined. For example, see if water has seeped into these areas under the floor and the carpet padding. Also, pay special attention to basement walls, as they will lose much of their strength if the basement is dry and the surrounding ground is still soaked.

At the end of the drying process, if you find mold, and it's just a tiny area, you can handle it yourself. Be sure to take protective measures and use gloves, goggles, and head protection to protect yourself. And after cleaning, make sure to wash and disinfect the cleaning equipment and yourself. If mold is an invasive mold problem, it should be dealt with by a professional.

Carefully assess the damage and plan to dry and restore the property. While assessing the damage, you can take pictures or video recordings, which will help you claim from your insurance company later. When dealing with flood-affected items, you will need to replace them if you find that walls, carpets, wood, or other porous materials are badly damaged by water. But if you notice that some items don't need a lot of repair work, dry them as soon as possible to save them.

To ensure that mold or bacteria are removed, time should be taken to disinfect areas and items affected by water damage repair, such as with bleach. Newer buildings need to be dried as soon as possible to reduce mold growth and reduce the risk of wood and masonry decaying. In contrast, some older buildings should dry more slowly and naturally to avoid cracking in aging, fragile materials. You can use a vacuum cleaner to deal with small damaged areas, and you can consider using a large fan, heater, or air conditioner to dry items as soon as possible.

Check your roof or siding for water damage, as insulation on the walls can draw moisture into the attic. Insulation can hold moisture for a long time, and heat concentrated in the attic can spread moisture, leading to mold growth and decaying wood and masonry. If water damage is found in the attic, remove water-soaked items and insulation immediately.

We recommend sealing and caulking new Windows, plumbing, flooring, and doorways during water damage repair works. Also, open windows for ventilation, and if your electrical system is dry and safe, use an attic fan or dehumidifier.

After thoroughly cleaning and sterilizing the water-damaged area or items, you may consider the need for new flooring. You can consider flooring with waterproof materials, such as tiles and waterproof vinyl.

If water damage is severe, you'll need to contact your insurance company. Also, if you need any help with dehumidification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

ALORAIR is the manufacturer and supplier of dehumidification and water damage restoration equipment and the expert of this industry. We offer a wide range of services and products, and we have WiFi control dehumidifiers, which achieve temperature control, eliminate humidity, purify the air, and make the air fresher. We know the business and go all out to provide you with tangible solutions. If you seek a perfect representation of high performance, durability, and reliability, we are your best choice.