Water damage is one of the most common types of damages that people can suffer in their homes and business premises. Water damage could result from water spillage, floods, or broken pipes.
Sometimes, especially if the water source is small, people can reverse and repair the water damage. However, the damage could be so severe that they need to install new flooring or walls in some cases.
It could be hard for people who become victims of water damage to decide how best to deal with the damage. However, using these methods, people can handle any size of water damage.
1. Identify the water source
Identifying the water source is the most important for someone who wants to handle any size of water damage. By identifying where the water is coming from, they can seal it to prevent more water from flowing out.
Three categories of water could cause water damage, all with different sources. The first one, known as clean water, comes mainly from broken water pipes or rainwater. The water does not have any contaminations and poses no threat of infections.
The second source is known as greywater, and unlike clean water, this has few contaminants and could have possible threats to the person’s health. This type of water could come from dishwashers, washing machines, or toilets.
The third one is known ad black water, and this is grossly contaminated and contains many harmful pathogens and toxins. This type of water mainly comes from sewage spillages.
2. Dry the place as fast as possible
Once the victim of water damage has identified the water source and blocked it, the next thing they need to do is clean out the water and dry the surface as fast as they can. The longer the water sits on the surface, the more it slips in, and the bigger the damage.
If the water sits on the surface for over 24 hours, there will be the formation of mildew and mold, which makes the damage worse.
To remove all the water, the person has to remove all the furniture and other belongings on the floor. They also need to wear protective clothing, especially if the water is contaminated. They might also need some heavy equipment to suck all the water out.
Once the water is all out, they need to use fans to speed up the drying process and turn on the air conditioning to remove humidity. They may also need other industry-grade equipment like dehumidifiers and air scrubbers to dry the space faster.
3. Locate hidden moisture
As the fans dry the floor, the homeowner should take that time to inspect the home and ensure there are no hidden places that still have moisture in them or need repair from the water damage. Some of the places they should check are beneath floorboards and all the corners.
If the homeowner finds water damage on the carpet, wood, or drywall, they can repair the damage or replace it. If the water damage is minor, they can save them by drying them and maybe painting the wooden parts.
4. Check for mold
It does not take long for mold to grow after water floods the floor. Once the homeowner has dried all areas in the house, they should inspect their home again and look for any mold. If they find mold, they should be careful before removing it because it could be harmful.
If there is only a little mold, the homeowner can conduct the repairs themselves; otherwise, they should call a professional. If they do not deal with the mold effectively, it could spread and cause damage over time.
5. Disinfect the place
Disinfecting helps kill any mold that may have started growing or bacteria that may have been in the water. The homeowner can use a bleach solution to disinfect all the affected areas, or if they had called the professionals, they could use professional disinfectants.
6. Inspect and clean property
Once the house is dry, the homeowner needs to inspect all their property, including electronics and furniture, for any water damage. If there is any damage, the homeowner should consider the level and decide if they need to repair or replace the property.
7. Inspect the house and repair
After the house is dry, that does not mean that it is safe. The homeowner needs to inspect the floor, ceiling, and walls for any damage.
Things might look great on the outside, but there might still be moisture on the inside, which could cause damage and reduce the structural integrity of the building.
If the homeowner has a wood floor, they need to ensure that the wood pieces are still intact and not lifting. If there is any damage, they should consider replacing the floor with other waterproof material to avoid the same problem in the future.
Another place the homeowner should inspect is the ceiling. If the ceiling suffers water damage, it could collapse anytime, and the homeowner needs to repair it immediately.
If the roof was the source of the leakage, they should spot all the leakage spots and repair them, either by installing a new roof or replacing the shingles.
8. Repair the water source
After identifying the water source and blocking it at the beginning, it is not enough to ensure that there will not be future water damage incidents. The homeowners need to take time and repair the source of the water.
If the source was a broken pipe, blocked drainage, or sewage leakage, they need to call a plumber to fix the problem professionally.
9. Call the insurance company
The insurance company can help the homeowner handle any size of water damage. If they realize that the damages are too much and need many repairs or replacements, they should call the insurance company and ask about the coverage.
To prevent future water damage to the property, homeowners should always inspect their homes often and identify any risk, like holes or faulty pipes. Anytime they notice a potential water damage source, they should fix it immediately or call the professionals.
They should also seal all their surfaces to ensure that the water does not sip into them, especially the floor.