4 Practical Tips on How to Recover From Water Damage

A large number of homeowners have experienced losses instigated by water damage. Most of which are caused by defective plumbing, leaking roofs, broken gaskets, and water heaters. Additionally, natural calamities like floods and hurricanes cause different types of property damage.

In case of water damage, most people feel helpless and shut down the water source and electricity, then wonder what the next step will be. The situation might look miserable, but in most cases, the chances of recovering your home from water damage are high. Don’t panic and keep still, then figure out where to start. Below are some tips to guide you to a successful home recovery after water damage.

Safety First                                    

During water damage, the very first worry should be the safety of your family members. If there is a lot of stagnant water on the floor, start by switching off the power in your entire house or the area that is flooded. The next step will be preventing possible contamination of the water, do this by closing the main water inlet valve. When the flood is severe, you will be required to cut off the gas supply too. The next step is to identify the type of water. There are three types of water namely;

• Pure and clean: This is usually from the rain, condensation, or leaking pipes. This type of water is usually not hurtful, and you can clean it up yourself.
• Greywater: This water is possibly polluted by dishwashing, laundry, and cleaning toilets. This is a type of wastewater, which means that you will have to scrub and disinfect the area with a bleach fluid.
• Blackwater: This is water that has been contaminated by sewage disposal, or maybe there has been a sudden overflow of rivers. You should be very careful when handling this type of water because it has all the possible types of bacteria and can multiply faster than expected. You will need a local restoration company to help repair water damage from this type of water.

Dry Your Home

If the flooding was severe, it is best if you wait for the flood to disperse. Utilize pumps to remove the stagnant water from your house. Find the lowest part of the flood and place the pump there. Be extra cautious when using electric pumps to avoid electric shock. You can dump the water in a place where it won’t cause any harm. Let fresh air come in through the doors and the windows. Before drying the house, make sure that you pick up the debris.

Inspect for Problems like Molds

After drying the house, inspect for molds on damaged materials. Mold can start to grow within 24 hours in the right condition. Check for mold damage on the floor, walls, and the plumbing system. If you have experience in treating molds, you can do so. However, if you have children, you should dispose of anything that has mold that can come into contact with your kids. If you are unable to treat the mold yourself, contact a fumigation agency to get the mold removed.

Clean and Disinfect

For the safety of your loved ones, it is best if you clean and disinfects the house properly. Make sure to throw away anything that has been severely damaged.

Regardless of the source of water damage, be it leaking pipes, a natural disaster like floods and hurricanes, backed up sewers, or broken water pipes, water damage can have a negative effect on your assets. You need to be prepared and have a strategic disaster plan in place.

You might also like to read:

• Health In The Home: Making Your Home Work For Your Body
• Why you should always travel with a dry bag, a flight bag and a value bag (Fiji Travel Diary!)
• 3 Ways to Protect Your Home from Water Damage
• 3 Daily Habits That Could Damage Your Hearing
• Career Choice That Would Be Great For Your Personality Type