Water damage can be very stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s important to Handling Water Damage right away. You’ll want to act quickly and efficiently to minimize the negative effects. If you need help, contact a professional water removal company like ABC Restoration Services. The sooner you respond, the better off you’ll be. For more information on how to handle water damage by yourself, read on below!
Table of Contents
Don’t Panic
Water damage can be very stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. The first thing you’ll want to do is assess the damage and contact a professional water removal company if needed. Don’t panic and make things worse.
Remove Standing Water
If there is standing water in your home, you’ll want to remove it as soon as possible. Standing water can lead to mold and mildew growth if not cleaned up quickly. Drain the water using a wet vacuum or by turning off the main valve that feeds into the damaged area of the house. Remove any soaked drywall or insulation to make sure all the standing water is gone.
Mold and mildew will grow if there is standing water in the house for too long. To prevent this from happening, remove any soaked drywall or insulation and use a wet vacuum to clear out any standing water that may be present.
Turn off Electrical Systems
This is one of the most important steps to take when handling water damage. You’ll want to turn off the electrical system and unplug appliances that might have been damaged by the water. Unplug any electronic devices, turn off your circuit breaker, and place a bucket underneath any leaking faucets so you don’t risk flooding your entire home.
Put Out Fires, If Necessary
The first thing you’ll want to do is put out any fires that are present. If there’s a fire in the home, it’s important to call 911 immediately and tell them there’s a fire and that they need the fire department. Once the flames are out and you’re sure they won’t reignite, turn off all power sources to prevent the chance of an electrical or gas-related accident.
Dry Upholstered Furniture and Other Items
The first thing you’ll want to do is get any wet furniture and items off the ground. They will be making a mess of your carpets, so make sure to pull them away from the floor.
Here’s what you should do with each item:
1) Drop carpets in the dryer for 10-15 minutes. This will take care of most of the water and prevent mold or mildew from forming on your carpet.
2) If there is water on other surfaces, blot it up with paper towels or cloths as quickly as possible. Don’t let too much time pass before you start blotting.
3) Remove any cushions from furniture and place them out in the sun to dry – preferably in the direct sunlight. You can also use a fan if necessary; just make sure it’s not blowing in anyone’s face.
4) If you have anything that needs to be dried, place it near a heater or open window/door during winter months. In summer months, use an air conditioner or a fan (again, make sure they are not blowing in anyone’s face).
5) Remove all rugs and soak them in soapy water before letting them air dry outside (or inside). This will help remove excess dirt and debris that might otherwise get trapped within the fibers during drying.
Clean and Disinfect
First, you’ll want to clean and disinfect the area. This will kill any bacteria that could cause serious health problems.
Next, remove any standing water with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. This can be rented from many home improvement stores or online sites like Home Depot or Amazon. Be sure to wear gloves and make sure the area is well ventilated to avoid breathing in fumes from the water.
Next, dry out your carpet as much as possible. Use a towel and put it on top of the water to soak up what you can without smearing it around too much. You’ll then want to use another towel or a rug doctor to completely dry out your carpet.
If there are stains on your carpet, you’ll need to get them out before drying out your carpet. There are products available at most stores that will help with this problem specifically – just be sure to read the instructions before using them!
Another way to dry out your carpet is by using a dehumidifier in affected areas for several days until no moisture is left. You can also use fans or air conditioning units for this purpose if necessary. If you have wooden floors, try not to walk on them when they’re wet as this may damage them permanently over time.
Finally, if you were unable to get all of the water up by yourself, call an experienced professional service like ABC Restoration Services for assistance!
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Repair Damage and Start the Recovery Process
The first thing you’ll want to do is turn off the power in the effected area. The next step is to remove any standing water that’s still there. You can use a wet vacuum or spray it down with a hose, but avoid using detergents or chemicals on the water. If your carpet has been soaked, you should take it out of the room and lay it on towels and let it dry in a different area.
After you’ve removed all of the water, start removing any items that may have been damaged by the water. If they’re salvageable, put them in a plastic container and put them in a dry place while they dry out. If they’re not salvageable, throw them away or donate them to charity.
Next, you’ll want to clean up any remaining damage like spilled food or paper that may have gotten wet. Vacuum up all debris before you mop up to get rid of excess liquid and dirt. Once this is done, apply disinfectant cleaner to surfaces like countertops, tabletops and floors for sanitation purposes.
Lastly, if there’s still standing water left over from when the damage happened then remove as much of it as possible by soaking up with rags or blotting up with paper towels before mopping thoroughly with disinfectant floor cleaner (this will ensure all bacteria are killed)
