This post was most recently updated on September 19th, 2023
Any great home‘s potential can be undone with the problems that come with water damage. The biggest problem with water damage is that it can come from such a little source that gradually builds up over time. Water leaks can cause damage to your home and can develop mold pretty quickly, so it’s vital that if you ever experienced a leak in the property, you’ve got to act quickly. What are the things you need to remember?
Inspecting for Mold or Mildew
In the right conditions, mold can grow within 24 hours and have a major impact on your drywall. Many drywall repair companies can fix the wall, but you’ve got to be very careful if you encounter mold and mildew. When there are major mold issues, you need to reduce the airflow to avoid contamination and get in contact with a professional. Mold is something that can be very toxic if it is left to fester.
Dry Out the Area
As obvious as it sounds, you need to make sure that the area is dry as possible. Whether it’s a flood or a leak, after isolating the source and turning the mains off, you need to start creating as much airflow as possible unless you encounter excessive mold. You can also use fans or dehumidifiers to create airflow toward the point of damage. You need to get moisture away from the property, and you can do this by pointing the fans facing an open window.
Cleaning the Different Types of Water
It’s not commonly known, but there are three different types of water: clean water, which comes from leaky pipes or rain, gray water, which can be dirty water from clean toilets or dishwashers, and black water, which can contain serious contaminants like bacteria and waste. You can attempt to clean up the water damage from the first two, but you should not attempt to clean up black water yourself. You should contact professionals to make sure that the home is as free from contaminants as possible.
Saving the Furniture
After serious water damage, you should get your furniture off the ground or put it in a place to dry. If the furniture is completely saturated, you may need to throw it out as it could develop mildew due to its porous nature. You can also get a wet/dry vac, which you can rent from local hardware stores that can dry wet rugs or carpets.
Monitor Water Levels
Even after cleaning up water damage, it is a good idea to invest in a water detection device. This allows you to monitor the water levels in the home so you can strike if there’s potential for damage in the future. A water detection device can be placed near common household appliances to catch a problem before it gets worse.
Water leaks can cause a lot of damage and it’s vital to strike quickly. If a low-lying leak is left to develop over time, this will cause a significant amount of damage to your property. You’ve got to know how to solve these issues before they get worse.
