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Be on the Safe Side: What to Expect from the Water Damage Cleanup Process

There are numerous ways in which your home can get damaged but the most persistent kind of damage that is made by water. Not only does a flood destroy a large part of your house but all that water needs to dry before you are able to begin with repairs. In fact, many homeowners are dumbstruck with the extent of the damage, so they do not know where to begin the repairing process in the first place. That is why having a short guide on how to go about water damage cleanup can help speed up the process.

Getting the bigger picture

Since water gets into every nook and cranny, it is sometimes hard to assess the full extent of the damage. For instance, a flood in the kitchen could mean that the basement is flooded as well, so you need to go downstairs to inspect it. One of the worst-case scenarios is beginning repairs without knowing the full scale of destruction, which will translate into contingency funds that you will have to make available. Even while the water is still inside the house, try to evaluate the extent of the damage so you will know which surfaces will need mending after the whole place dries. Finally, don’t neglect vertical surfaces such as walls, as they are usually hollow, which is ideal for mould and mildew formation.

A fast reaction

Depending on the type of flooding, you have to react as soon as possible because the longer the water and moisture stay, the greater the damage will be. First, you need to drain the house completely, so the drying process can commence. This is the most delicate part of repairing your house, as all moisture must evaporate before you start playing the handyman. The easiest way to dry the house is to open all doors and windows and let the draft do the rest. However, if the weather conditions outside are not favourable, then you can turn the fan on to speed up the process. Finally, if the damaged occurred in a place that lacks any natural airflow, then installing a couple of dehumidifiers will help a lot.

Not a layman’s job

The scariest thing about residential water damage is the amount of money needed to get the house back in order. You will have to accept the fact that many wood carving and even entire walls will have to be removed in order for new ones to be erected. That is why you should at least consult companies such as 1800Flood which specialize in residential water damage. Who knows, after you address them, you might realize that they can be trusted to carry out parts of the reparation process.

Establishing a perimeter

Every construction site, no matter how small it is, needs to be closed off to other people living in the house or passersby. This is equally important for an area that has been flooded, so you need to place barriers and signs warning other people not to enter the part of the house that is being drained and dried. Think of this area as a sort of quarantine that you need to establish in order to ensure human health is not endangered during the whole process. Children will probably want to play inside when they see all that empty space, so the main function of this perimeter is to prevent them from entering the damaged part of the building. If they inhale mildew and mould, they risk developing respiratory problems, as fine organic particle are airborne.

There’s no stopping now

Once you set up the perimeter and the drying process takes its course, your job is not quite done. Regular check-ups are necessary to confirm that moisture is leaving the area in a desirable tempo. If there is a single wooden board that still hasn’t dried, you cannot start repairing the house, so be 100% sure that the house is dry before you start mending anything.

Finally, water damage repairs need to be urgent, as you have to reach immediately! This speed of reaction will help contain the damage to an area that can be successfully dried out and subsequently repaired. Who knows, if you react fast enough, you might even save pieces of furniture as well.

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