10 Feb 2016

Water Damage Clean Up & Repair: Vital Steps to Resolving Water Damage

While water is an element that can be seen as calm and soothing, it is one of the strongest forces on the planet and is capable of destruction. Water damage can come in many different forms, including the leaky roof that your landlord hasn’t fixed yet, a blocked downspout, a broken pipe, sewage or plumbing problems, shifting landscape, and immense flooding due to a natural disaster.

Even though there are measures you can take to help prevent water damage, water is a force that cannot be easily reckoned with. When it comes to natural disasters and flook accidents, the best thing you can do is be prepared to tackle the water damage clean up like a pro—which includes following these vital steps, and knowing if and when you should call the actual professional.

Know What to Look For

When you hear about a house fire, you immediately know that it is a dangerous situation for anyone involved, especially those inside the house. But when you think about water damage, sometimes it just seems like a nuisance—that there is no real danger to anything but personal belongings. However, a home or office with water damage can be just as dangerous, if not more so. A vital step in water damage repair is to stay safe and know what to look for.

Before you start your water damage repair, make these important evaluations:

Exterior Structure

While the personal belongings in your home or office may be foremost on your mind, it is important to stay mindful of the entire situation. Take a look at the exterior of your home or office building and make sure that there are no structural issues—if there is damage, entering your home at all may be a hazard.

Utilities

It is important to make sure that all utilities and electrical devices are turned off in the house before you start your repairs. Check for possible gas leaks and damaged wires. If something seems unusual or dangerous, it is important to call a professional.

Bacteria

Water is a source of life for humans just as much as it is for bacteria. Standing water can become stagnant and contaminated, doubling as a nuisance for you and a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, fungi, and mold. If the situation is not treated properly, the contamination will only get worse, lowering your indoor air quality and becoming a health concern.

Tackle the Moisture

If you’ve made it past the important site evaluations above, and you are going to move forward in tackling the repair yourself, you should start by removing the moisture from the air. If you have a dehumidifier on hand, that’s great, but if not, simply opening your windows and doors can help.

Next, it’s time for the manual labor. Use a bucket to remove the excess water, or even a wet/dry vacuum if you have one. The quicker the water is out of your home or office, the less damage it will cause in the long run.

This last step may be a hard one, but it is also vital to your movement forward: know when to let go. Even though you should never give up on your belongings until you are sure that they cannot be saved—or your insurance company has stated that there is no value in them—it is important to prepare yourself for the worst. If your carpets, furniture, or personal belongings are too damaged, it’s your best interest to let them go.