Before you start blaming your landlord for not fixing the leak or declining to pay your rent because of the holes in the ceiling, it’s important that you know how to fix water damage in a house. The damage could be caused by a leak from an outside source or the roof, and it is often difficult to tell the difference. But for all your water damage restoration needs, just let a trusted and experienced water mitigation company do the job for you. Regardless of how you got there, water damage in a house is extremely serious and needs immediate attention. The CleanUP Guys is a certified and experienced water damage restoration company that suggests you take the following steps in fixing water damage in a house.
Identify the Source
The first thing you should do when you discover water damage in a house is to identify the water source. It can be challenging to pinpoint the precise location if it’s coming through your ceiling or walls and will require further investigation. If you have an idea of where the water is coming from, place heavy-duty plastic bags on any laptops or electronic devices that may be exposed. It’s also important to put all food items that are exposed in air-tight containers. Sometimes it could just be a leaking tap or pipe that needs easy fixing, while other times, the situation may require an experienced professional to deal with it.
Clean Stagnant Water
To begin fixing water damage in a house, you must start with the most immediate danger, as standing water can quickly cause mold to breed and spread throughout your home. Standing water also poses a risk of electrical shock as well as potential damage to your belongings. It can usually be wiped away using towels or sponges. You should also be sure to remove any wet flooring or carpeting by pulling it up carefully. Professional companies specialize in mold remediation that may be needed if there has been severe mold growth.
Dehumidify
After clearing the standing water, you would need to dehumidify the moisture left behind. This is a crucial step because the moisture will begin to breed mold and even harm the material you have just cleaned. To start the process, turn on a dehumidifier for a few hours and leave it on until there is no more moisture left behind. It will take time for this process to be effective, so you should thoroughly check each room to ensure there is no more standing water before turning off the dehumidifier.
Clean and Sanitize
To minimize the risk of contamination, it’s essential to make sure that your home is properly cleaned and sanitized after dehumidifying. Standing water usually consists of many contaminants, especially if it went unattended for days. You can use commercial cleaners and industrial sanitizers to eliminate bacteria and fungi that may still exist even after dehumidification.
Repair and Restore
After ridding your home of standing water and any suspected mold, you will next need to start the process of repairing any structural damage caused by the leak. The material that is already damaged or weakly attached should be removed, while plastic sheeting should be used to cover the walls and ceiling with insulation tape to keep out further leaks. This is important because water can damage walls and ceilings in your home, causing further leaks. To ensure that there is no future damage, you must replace damaged materials as soon as possible.
The Cons of DIY Water Damage Restoration
When a break in the pipes becomes severe enough, you should contact a professional for help. The pros at The CleanUP Guys will come right away to help you get rid of water-related predicament, the damage from which may be a lot more than you wanted to deal with. Although it is very tempting to take on your restoration job – after all, you will not get any other offers if this happens – there are some essential things about DIY that people tend to overlook.
For instance, if you are planning to start working on damage control without the help of a professional, you have to make sure that you have all the materials on hand and then use them properly. Otherwise, things can turn out even worse than they already are. Similarly, without suitable materials and tools, you may end up spending much more than the project is worth. Finally, DIY projects aren’t as thorough compared to professional assistance because the pros can effectively detect other problems that emerge from the mother source.
Call In the Pros
Because you can only do so much when dealing with water damage in a house, it is crucial that you call in professional help. Then, you will have one less thing to worry about, and an expert will oversee the repair process. It can also reduce your overall cost as the professionals will have access to additional equipment and supplies that they can use when fixing water damage in a house. Reach out to us at The CleanUP Guys for all your water damage restoration needs.