Home or business damage is more difficult to repair in today's economy. If you have flood or water damage to your home or business and do not have insurance, the cost of repairing your problems can quickly become prohibitively expensive. If you have insurance, it is best to have a professional water damage restoration company handle the situation for you.
Unfortunately, for many of us, water damage cleanup is an unavoidable part of owning a home. There are three reasons for immediate water removal, whether the water is from a clogged floor drain, torrential rains, or plumbing mishaps.
Clean Up Water Quickly to Avoid Mold
The first is to keep mold at bay. This cannot be overstated, as there is a twenty-four to forty-eight-hour window before mold begins to grow, so water damage cleanup must be completed within that time frame.
Cleanup Water as Soon as Possible to Prevent Foundation Damage
The second reason is to protect the foundation. Standing water will deteriorate concrete floors over time by weakening them in the center, so they must be kept dry.
Clean Up Water Quickly to Avoid Bacteria
A third reason for removing water quickly is to avoid bacteria and the risk of contamination. To clean up water myself, I prefer the ease of use of a rented water extractor.
Before I begin water damage cleanup, and because I prefer to do the job myself, here are some pointers I'd like to share. Starting with paper products, including wet books, remember that if they are no longer useful, toss them in the garbage. It's also a good idea to make copies of important documents and, if the damage is minor, freeze-dry the originals.
Carpets typically have a pad on the underside; if the carpet gets wet, so will the pad. Place a dehumidifier and several fans in the area after sucking up as much water as possible with the water extractor. Open the windows as well if it's a sunny day. Repeat for all fabric-covered furniture and concrete floors. Ceiling tiles are not worth saving and are inexpensive, so dispose of them and replace them with new ones.
After removing excess water from linoleum or ceramic floors, scrub the area with a mild detergent or clean with white vinegar, which repels mold. Plastic and metal items are the simplest to clean with warm soapy water. Thoroughly rinse and dry. Hopefully, the drywall did not absorb too much water; if it did, it must be removed and replaced or it will swell. Wood paneling will also swell, so remove it from the wall to allow air to circulate behind it and thoroughly clean it. These suggestions are for people who, like me, prefer to clean up water themselves to ensure that the damage is caused by clean water only. A licensed professional should be contacted immediately if there is mold growth, sewer leaks, or other potentially contaminated water problems.
If you need a water extraction service or a Water Damage Restoration Vancouver in WA, contact Rapid water.
