Water damage inside your home can quickly turn into a living nightmare. Water can wreak havoc on your personal belongings and the structure of your house. It can also cause serious health risks. Here at Certified Restoration, we always recommend that you call a professional to assess any water damage. There can be severe consequences if the water is not properly taken care of. If you do decide to handle the situation on your own, here are some tips for cleaning up after flood damage.
Safety First.
- We highly recommend that you do not enter any room or building if you are unsure of its condition. Water damage can cause unnoticeable insecurities in a building’s structure. Without having the proper knowledge to assess the situation, you can get seriously injured.
Find The Water Source.
- Shut off the all water and power sources if it is safe to do so.
- Decide which category of water you’re dealing with. If the water damage was from a sewer or a toilet, we highly recommend calling an expert. Contaminated, dirty water contains endless amounts of bacteria and can be extremely dangerous to everyone in your home, including your pets.
Remove All Wet Or Contaminated Items.
- Clear out all wet upholstery, cushions, rugs, furniture, and any other item in your home that has any water damage. Place them in a dry, well-ventilated area, like your front of back yard, until they have dried out.
- Don’t forget to check under beds, in closets, and in cabinets that are near the floor-level for wet items. Remember, anything that is left with any kind of moisture inside of it is susceptible to mold in as little as 24 hours.
- If the items inside your house have been contaminated with dirty water, there are extra precautions you should take.
- Minimize skin contact with anything that has been touched by the contaminated water. Keep all cuts and sores clean and covered, and all soiled objects away from your mouth, eyes and nose. Make sure to discard anything that cannot be thoroughly washed or laundered.
- Clean all dirty surfaces with warm, soapy water and disinfect with bleach to make sure all bacteria is removed. Sewage water can be very harmful to your home and your health if not properly taken care of, so we recommend calling a professional to avoid all possible health hazards.
Give It Some Air.
- Ventilation is the most cost effective way to dry out structures.
- If it is dry outside, open all windows and doors inside the home and allow a natural breeze to come through. Rent industrial blowers to create stronger ventilation.
- Remember that cleaning up only the visible water may not get rid of the problem. Water can travel both vertically and horizontally through walls without any traces to the untrained eye.
- Secondary damage, such as mold, is caused by hidden water under carpets, wet hardwood floors, and in between walls that are not properly mitigated. Look for the warning signs of mold growth before it gets to out of hand.
If you have insurance, contact your agent to report all losses caused by the water damage. Under California law, you are entitled to use any contractor of your choice to make your restoration as quick and painless as possible. Certified Restoration is available to answer any questions you may have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you find yourself standing in unwanted water, give us a call and we’ll be there to help before you know it.
