6 Water Damage Restoration Tips

When flood damage may have occurred, make sure it’s safe: check for electrical hazards and structural damage, and use proper protective gear like boots, gloves, and respirators. Before you start any construction or repairs, check for common hazardous materials like lead paint and asbestos, which may require help from professional and State-licensed contractors.

Importantly, you need to find a 24 hours water damage restoration company and call them immediately. The company will bring in the necessary equipment to dry out your home and prevent mold growth.

Some quick water damage restoration tips:

-Open all doors and windows to allow maximum ventilation

-Remove all carpets, rugs, padding, and upholstery for cleaning or disposal

-Remove and prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying

-Set up dehumidifiers and fans to circulate air and speed up the drying process

-Remove any artwork, electronics, or valuables for safekeeping

-Wipe down all wood surfaces with a disinfectant solution

-Throw out all food that may have come into contact with flood waters

-Clean all HVAC systems and ductwork to prevent the spread of contaminants

Below we’ve added 6 of the most important water damage restoration tips and bullet points associated with them.

Water Damage Restoration Tips 1- Act Fast

• To prevent further damage and call a professional water damage restoration company like us to come and assess the situation. We will work with your insurance company to make sure all bases are covered.
• Time is of the essence when it comes to water damage. The longer water is allowed to sit, the more structural damage it can cause and the greater the chance for mold growth. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are available 24/7 and will respond quickly to any water damage emergency.
• If you live in an area that is susceptible to flooding or hurricanes, it’s important to have a plan in place ahead of time. Know your property’s elevation and whether it’s in a floodplain. Check your insurance policy to see if you’re covered for flooding, and consider purchasing additional flood insurance if you’re not. Make sure you have an emergency kit prepared with essential supplies like food, water, and medicine, and know how to safely turn off your
• Home’s electricity and gas before evacuating.
• Following these tips will help you minimize the damage caused by flooding and make the water damage clean-up process easier. But remember, if the floodwaters are high enough to pose a danger to your safety, always evacuate first and call for professional help when it’s safe to do so
• The severity of damage escalates the longer water sits and building components and contents stay wet, so time is of the essence in the aftermath of a flood. In fact, mold will grow within 48-72 hours, so aim to start removing water and drying the environment within 48 hours.
• Have a list of professionals on hand to call, and understand your insurance policy, as some only cover mold damage up to a certain amount, while others don’t provide any reimbursement for mold.

Water Damage Restoration Tips 2 – PREVENT MOLD GROWTH

• After a flood, it’s important to dry out the affected areas as quickly as possible to prevent mold growth. Open doors and windows, set up fans, and use a dehumidifier if possible. If the weather is cooler, open cabinet doors and prop up wet furniture cushions to allow maximum air circulation.
• CLEAN ALL SURFACES
• Once the area is dry, you can start cleaning all surfaces with a disinfectant solution. Be sure to clean all wood surfaces, as well as wipe down any electronics or valuables. If there is any food that may have come into contact with flood waters, throw it out.
• DISINFECT HV AC SYSTEM
• If your home has been flooded, it’s important to clean your HVAC system and ductwork to prevent the spread of contaminants. You should also have your system inspected by a professional before turning it back on.
• THROW OUT ANY DAMAGED ITEMS
• Any items that have been damaged by the flood should be thrown out. This includes carpets, rugs, padding, and upholstery. If possible, prop up wet furniture cushions to allow them to dry evenly.
• SET UP DEHUMIDIFIERS AND FANS
• Dehumidifiers and fans will help to dry out the affected areas and prevent mold growth. Be sure to open doors and windows to allow for maximum air circulation.
• CALL A PROFESSIONAL
• After you have taken all the necessary steps to clean up your home, it’s important to call a professional water damage restoration company like us to come and assess the situation.

Water Damage Restoration Tips 3 –  CONDUCT ASSESSMENT ON PROPERTY DAMAGE

• Once the area is dry, you can start to assess the damage to your belongings and materials. If possible, take pictures or video of the damage for your insurance company.
• CLEAN AND DISINFECT ALL ITEMS AND MATERIALS
• Any items that have been damaged by the flood should be cleaned and disinfected. This includes carpets, rugs, padding, and upholstery. If possible, prop up wet furniture cushions to allow them to dry evenly.
• CALL A PROFESSIONAL
• After you have taken all the necessary steps to clean up your home, it’s important to call a professional water damage restoration company like us to come and assess the situation. We will be able to properly clean and disinfect your home, as well as restoration any damaged materials.
• Take action now and call us at 1-800-333-3333 to speak with a water damage specialist. We are available 24/7 and will be able to help you through this difficult time.
• The above steps are important in order to prevent further damage to your home and belongings, as well as to prevent the growth of mold.

Water Damage Restoration Tips 4- EXPOSE POCKETS OF SATURATION

• Once the area is dry, you can start to expose pockets of saturation by opening doors and windows, setting up fans, and using a dehumidifier. If the weather is cooler, open cabinet doors and prop up wet furniture cushions to allow maximum air circulation.

Water Damage Restoration Tips 5 – CONDUCT A THOROUGH CLEANING

• Once the area is dry, you can start cleaning all surfaces with a disinfectant solution. Be sure to clean all wood surfaces, as well as wipe down any electronics or valuables. If there is any food that may have come into contact with flood waters, throw it out.
• Durable, non-porous, or semi-porous materials, such as studs and joists, hardwood flooring, and vinyl products, can be cleaned with common cleaning products or specialized products with detergents. During cleaning, take care to protect areas that are unaffected by the water or mold. After a thorough cleaning of salvageable materials, a disinfectant solution may need to be applied in case of harmful bacteria from sewage, river water debris, or even standing water that has gone bad.
• Professionals like water restoration and mold remediation contractors and indoor environmental professionals can help you decide what is best for your situation. Once you’ve cleaned the wet materials, conduct another round of cleaning. If you choose to vacuum, use a HEPA-filter vacuum to remove allergens, fine dust, and spores.

Water Damage Restoration Tips 6 – CONFIRM DRYING BEFORE RECONSTRUCTION

• In order to prevent dry rot and structural damage, it’s important not to reconstruct or cover wood and other wet materials until the moisture content has been adequately reduced. A water restoration professional can confirm proper drying before reconstruction.

Thanks for looking at our list of 6 water damage restoration tips. We hope that this was beneficial to you.

A.W Martin Team is available 24 by 7 for emergency services. Call us today if you have water or flood damage.

Our Team will be there immediately to work on water damage restoration. We also represent you with your insurance company and ensure that your claims will get approved.

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