Water Damage Restoration Tips

5/30/2017 (Permalink)

Water Damage Restoration Tips

Water damage can ruin valuable possessions as well as the entire house. Water in business can also be dangerous as it may damage devices, documents, and other resources. Therefore, flood damage should not be treated lightly. There are various actions that one can take to eliminate water in home or office.

Immediate water cleanup and restoration is crucial in the mitigation of the damage. Contaminated flood water in home may carry pathogens and favor the growth of mold. If the water in business or house festers, mold spores may spread around the building making it harder to get rid of them. The following water cleanup actions can be taken to eliminate water in business or the house:
• Contacting the insurance company
Before any mitigation or water cleanup, the insurance company should be notified about the restoration process one is about to take to handle the water in home. Before anything is removed from the house, documentation should be carried out using videos or pictures. These will be necessary when seeking compensation.

• Call the right flood damage restoration specialists
The professionals will immediately identify the items that are most compromised by flood damage. Any porous things in contact with water may need to be discarded. Such items include mattresses, pillows, box springs, and particle board. These things trap moister that may favor moss development. Affected households may prepare for the professional water clean-up by removing these items before the specialists arrive.

• Electric power
Before any action on the damaged house, electricity should be off. Plugged in devices and exposed wires might cause electrocution. Disconnect power, unplug the electronics and remove them alongside furniture and lose items immediately to prevent further water damage.

• Getting rid of the water in home
Water can be extracted manually after all the loose wires have been removed. Elements such as old towels, mops, and buckets may come in handy when drying the house as they will soak more water. If the sewage system has not been backed up, the water can be poured down the drain. Otherwise, it can be poured on porous surfaces like the lawn.

• Drying out the affected area
Once all the water has been mopped, a dehumidifier or fan can be used to assist in drying the area. The windows should be open to facilitate air circulation that speeds up the drying process. Areas on the drywall that have been affected should be cut away to prevent mold development. Baseboard trims should be taken up first. However, those made of pressboard may not be salvageable.

• Disinfection and prevention of mold growth
After drying the area, a good disinfectant should be used to eliminate bacteria from the sewers or toilets. It is important to settle on non-toxic yet powerful disinfectants to reduce the effects to the body. Areas that should be considered may include wood walls and non-upholstered furniture sitting on the water in home or business.

It is important to avoid dealing with mold in situations of high magnitude flood damage. In such instances, restoration should be left for professionals. When the mold is disturbed inappropriately, it will have greater chances of spreading thus hindering mitigation.

• Disposal of damaged belongings
Disposal can be done by ordering a dumpster to send all the damaged items away from the site. However, one can sort out the things into piles to be taken to recycling centers so as to alleviate the pressure at the local landfill. One may also visit the neighborhood's waste management website for information on recycling of all the damaged items.

All these tips can assist in the mitigation of water damage. However, it is important to hire the services of water damage restoration professionals as they have the right experience and equipment for drying the water in business or house. They make the process of water cleanup easy and less stressful. Visit http://www.SERVPROnorthhollywood.com for more information on water damage.