Every homeowner will tell you that constant tweaks are necessary to provide a safe and healthy living space. You should take steps to assess the situation if events like poor weather compromise your home’s integrity. There is a possibility that water will enter the interior of the house after heavy rain or flooding. My goal was to learn how to respond to water damage in my home, so I spoke to San Diego’s Risk-Free Serv water damage pros. The following steps can help you mitigate your home’s water damage:
Type of Water Damage
In situations like these, it’s always recommended you get professional assistance, but before then, you can inspect the area to gain a better understanding of what you’re dealing with.
Knowing how much water is inside your home is crucial so you can make a quick decision, whether it’s a small leak or significant flooding.
Next, you should determine what type of water is affecting your home. You can divide it into three categories:
Clean Water
There are no harmful substances in clean water since it comes from safe sources like pipes or rain.
Greywater
Toilets and dishwashers generate greywater. If you attempt to clean this water, you should wear protective equipment.
Black Water
You should never try to deal with black water on your own. You can’t know how contaminated it is, as it comes from sewers or flooding.
You can calculate the amount of damage once you determine the type of water. By taking this step, you will also be able to determine if you should handle the restoration yourself.
How to Proceed
Before contacting professionals, the situation can be helped, or at least not exacerbated.
Disconnecting outlets is the first step. Water and electricity are dangerous when they come into contact. Before attempting any restoration, unplug everything.
The next step is to begin removing furniture, appliances, and any other items you can carry from the area. Store these items in a dry place. There are certain porous materials that don’t take water well, such as wood, rubber, drywall, carpet, or wallpaper. It is not recommended to save heavily damaged materials; they should be replaced.
Check for Mold
When assessing the damage, check for mold. Mold grows best when there is moisture present. Depending on the severity of the spread, it is best to contact a professional with the proper tools and knowledge. A cloth and vinegar can be used to clean the affected areas, but a professional should be contacted if the spread is more severe.
Dry and Disinfect
You should dry the area out after estimating the amount of damage, disposing of ruined items, and checking for mold. Combining a natural draft with dehumidifiers and fans will help keep the room dry. Allow the air to circulate by opening all windows.
After following all the previous steps, disinfection is the next step. Spraying disinfectant on affected areas will kill bacteria and prevent mold growth. You can use vinegar and dry cloth to disinfect affected areas.
Call The Professionals
It is tricky to restore water damage, and without the right tools and experience, you might end up hurting yourself or causing more damage. Providing efficient assistance requires professional expertise in order to ensure a zero-risk scenario. If you act on your own, the damage could get worse. Put the disaster in the hands of the professionals.
