No matter how careful we are, water has a knack for ending up where it’s not supposed to be, and usually at the most inconvenient of times. Whether it is the clogged garbage disposal or a broken valve on the toilet, water damage has a way of ruining our day.
If one of the kids left the bath water running it can be minor or it can be a major headache. It all depends on how long the water went unattended. Hopefully it wasn’t for long and clean up is just a matter of several sopping wet bath towels. Whatever the extent of the flood, the important thing is to get it dry as quickly as possible to avoid other problems such as mold and mildew.
You should know that water damage is divided into three categories by the professionals: Clean water, grey water and black water. Clean water has no major contaminants and is usually caused by broken water lines or over flowing sinks. Grey water can cause illness and has some minor contaminants and result from washing machines or sump pumps. The third category, Black water is what you get from a backed up sewer and contains solid human waste.
Depending on the type of water you need to clean up, you should be careful to take precautions to protect your health. When dealing with grey or black water it is always a good idea to wear protective clothing and sturdy non-porous gloves.
Finding a telltale water spot on your wall may lead you to groan, but it’s something that you should take care of as quickly as possible. Finding the source of the watermark and fixing it fast can prevent bigger problems later. Not only does the water leave stains, it can also encourage the growth of mold and mildew behind the wall that can cause illness and allergies.
If you happen to find a small ocean on your floor don’t walk into the middle of it to turn the faucet off. Turn the other way and go turn off the electricity before fetching your wading boots. Water may have already soaked the electrical lines and you don’t want to take chances.
With any unwanted water, you need to get it dried up as fast as you can. Use a wet-dry vacuum to suck up as much water as you can manage. After you have done that you need to provide a lot of air circulation to dry up the rest. Fans, dehumidifiers and anything that moves air will help. You will probably have to leave them working for at least a day or two.
If you had deep flooding, it is a good idea to remove the baseboards and disinfect them. Removing them will allow them to dry well and it will also give the area behind a chance to dry.
Cleaning and disinfecting everything is very important. Disinfect and deodorize your carpet extremely well and you may not need to replace it or the padding. Sanitizing is important to stop the growth of mold, mildew and any other microorganisms that love moisture and dark places. These can be the hidden source of coughing, sneezing and watery eyes.
Don’t forget to check your furniture for damage. Go through the same procedures to remove water and disinfect and deodorize.
If you’re able to get to the water quickly, you hopefully won’t have much water damage at all. If you have to call in the experts because of the amount of water, don’t hesitate. Your homeowners insurance should cover the expense.
When you are searching for the most professional water damage phoenix experts available today, you will find them fast! Get rid of water for your flooded basement boston specialists can provide.
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Tags: floods, Home, home flooding, home improvement