As a professional advisor, it is always recommended to hire a certified water damage restoration professional to ensure that the work is done correctly and efficiently. The IICRC “The IICRC is an accredited Standards Developing Organization (SDO) by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).” Always recommend you hire a Professional to Perform this kind of Work. However, if you are a homeowner or building owner looking to clean up water damage yourself, there are some tips and tricks that can help.
Before you start, prioritize safety. Stay away from the affected area until it is deemed safe to return by government officials. If possible, call your insurance company and a water damage restoration contractor before you begin assessing the damage.
Water can cause significant destruction to your property. Porous materials like wallboard and drywall can act like a sponge and become fragile in a flood. Plaster, on the other hand, can take a long time to dry and may need to be replaced if it is severely cracked or warped. Foam sheets of insulation only need to be hosed off and dried, while muddy fiberglass batts should be thrown out. Particle boards and laminated wood materials may separate and weaken after getting wet and usually need to be replaced.
Solid wood items can usually be saved when dried out completely, but carpets and laminated floor coverings will have to be thrown out, especially any with soaked foam rubber backing. Appliances can be shorted out during floods and leak harmful and explosive gases into the air. They will need to be cleaned and checked by a professional before use.
Key Facts to know about flood and water damage restoration cleanup:
The following are important steps to take after experiencing a flood. It is important to note that the same information has been provided for two separate sections, one detailing what to do before beginning the cleaning process and another outlining the steps to take during the cleaning process.
Before beginning the cleaning process:
- it is essential to ensure that it is safe for you and your family to be on the property. This involves checking for potential hazards such as rodents, snakes, insects, and damaged power and gas lines. It is important to look out for structural damage, including broken pilings, shifted stairs, slanted floors, and walls.
- Water and power should be turned off unless this involves standing in water. It is crucial to avoid entering your home or business if there is major structural damage and to avoid walking on sagging floors or floors above sagging ceilings.
- Electrical appliances should not be used, and ceiling fans and lights should not be turned on if the ceilings are wet.
- Once you are ready to begin the cleaning process, it is important to prioritize. You should check that running water is safe to drink and use for cleaning and flush your toilet to check for clogs from mud and debris.
- Cabinets and other items that may be ready to fall over should be checked, and holes in the walls and roof should be temporarily patched with plastic wrap.
- Debris should be removed, water trapped in walls should be removed, and all doors and windows should be opened to improve ventilation. A wet vac, shop vac, fans, dehumidifiers, and desiccants should be used to start drying out the property.
Things you should avoid doing during the cleaning process:
- Do not drain a flooded basement too quickly as rapid changes in pressure could cause the foundation to collapse.
- Structural or electrical work should not be done yourself, and generators should not be connected to the home’s power system.
- Household vacuums should not be used to remove water and mud, and garbage should not be left to pile up as it could exacerbate contamination and house pests.
- Pools of standing water should not be left as they could become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
- During the cleaning process, it is crucial to wear protective clothing, boots, and rubber gloves and to wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Wall coverings that may harbor mold should be removed and thrown out, along with drywall, finished ceilings, and most insulation that’s been in contact with flood water.
- Permeable materials such as padded furniture and foam rubber should be thrown out, as should all exposed food, beverages, and medicine, including canned goods.
- Dishes and other items should be disinfected with soap and hot water, and hard surfaces should be cleaned with hot water and soap or detergent.
- Wooden items should be wiped down and taken elsewhere to dry out if possible. Books, documents, and photographs should be preserved in re-sealable bags and frozen to be cleaned later.
- Aluminum foil or wood blocks should be placed between wet floors and the legs of furniture that cannot be moved.
- A list of the damage should be made, and photos or videos taken.
- A piece of damaged floor and wall coverings should be kept to show your insurance assessor.
While it is possible to do much of the cleaning yourself, it is essential to recognize when it is necessary to call a professional restoration service. The costs in time, supplies, and machinery rental escalate quickly, and professional contractors may need to do the work to be eligible for home and flood insurance reimbursements or to acquire building permits. If you would like expert help with your flood cleanup or simply want a second pair of eyes for safety, you can call Rodriguez Cleaning and Restoration Services in Louisville KY for all your Water damage restoration and Cleanup Needs!
