The last thing you want to do on a cold Sunday morning is deal with water damage. Unfortunately, no home is 100% proof of water damage, and if it happens, it’s vital to stay composed and attempt to ease the situation by taking a few steps. The Risk-Free Serv water damage restoration team explained how I could deal with the water in my home before calling professionals to resolve the issue. So, before starting with repairs and renovation, you need to get find the source, shut it down if it’s still running, get rid of all the water, and dry out the area.
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Most Common Causes of Water Damage
Water damage can be caused by leaks in your home, such as old pipes, blocked gutters, or even AC condensation. It is not strictly reserved for natural disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis, and monsoons, and that’s why regular checkups could prevent the mess.
If water damage occurs in a home, it can destroy furniture, warp wood floors, and cause severe mold and mildew issues within mere hours.
Find the Source
It is possible for water damage to occur in many places. Extreme weather is one of the most common reasons why water leaks inside your home. Broken pipes inside your walls are also on the list. The water supply for your washing machine might be broken and cause a major leak. AC condensation could be a problem if the AC wasn’t cleaned recently. Clogged gutters are also pretty common.
Make Sure the Area Is Dry
In addition to checking the entire house for standing water where it shouldn’t be, make sure you open all windows and doors to let in the fresh air while you’re doing this. To ensure the area where the damage occurred has as much airflow as possible, you should use fans and dehumidifiers. Your home will be less humid if you point fans toward an open window. Take as much time as you need to ensure the area is completely dry before moving on.
Don’t Let Furniture Sit on the Ground
You can use bricks to elevate furniture, such as couches, desks, and tables. During the summer, you can also dry your furniture outdoors if you live in a sunny location. A totally soaked piece of furniture may be ruined – porous materials can develop mildew if they are wet. However, you should wait for a restoration specialist and let them give a professional estimate.
Clean up the Dirt
Mold and mildew are not caused by water itself but rather by water combined with dirt and organic matter. If standing water is left on the surface, mop it up and scrub the area with a mild detergent.
Sand the Floor Down
You may notice that your wood floors cup after they’ve been cleaned and dried. Some of the damaged areas might be flattened by using a drum or orbital sander. It is necessary to nail the boards back down if they have lifted up.
Don’t Forget to Check the Ceilings
A sagging ceiling is the last thing you need after a minor flood in your house. Inspect the ceiling panels for damage if any have been affected. Remove them immediately and inspect the roof as well.
New Laminate
It is helpful to know that laminate floors behave quite differently when exposed to standing water when compared to other materials. It is necessary to replace laminate flooring if it is damaged by water, as laminate traps moisture and swells.
Call the Pros
If you feel like you need help from a professional who deals with these situations. Feel free to seek help, and let them deal with water damage in your home. These situations are stressful enough, and getting help from experienced professionals who regularly handle water damage problems is recommended.