Posts Tagged ‘flood cleaning’

An Assessment Of Water Damage Restoration

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Water is a force of nature that nothing at all can stop once it gets to flow fast and free. Water stops at absolutely nothing in the quest of seeking its own level, and all of the man made devices are but vanity when it has its way. Unfortunately, your house, barn, or office building may be in its way. If so, you will need to think about water damage restoration at some point.

Flooding groundwater, form rain and storms, is the first form of water havoc that comes to mind, But others can cause excessive damage as well. Under ground water rising from natural forces can fill a building, as can plumbing bursting or freezing or otherwise coming undone. Roofs may eventually leak, as may walls and floors. Again, water finds its own way regardless of what is in its way.

The good news is that if you are suffering from damaged structures, then at least the structures are still intact. So, with this in mind, take a grateful look around and check out the initial situation. More than likely the floors will be a mess. Floors and flooring will take the biggest hit in a flood like situation. Be particularly leery in wooden homes.

The carpeting, linoleum, and tiling on the floors will probably be shot. At any rate, these materials will have to come up in order to assess the real damage to the sub floors and joists. Carpeting, in particular, will probably be destroyed and unfit to reuse for anything. It will harbor unhealthy molds and spores and tend to rot later.

The walls will be compromised as well, whether from the top down from leaks, or from the bottom up from floods. Gypsum wallboard and wooden sheathing will be more than likely ruined. Paints and paper treatments will be stained and discolored. Some material will absorb all of that moisture and wreak further havoc. Here, too, one must be wary of mold.

Ceilings can be ruined, especially from leaking roofs and overhead pipes coming apart. Damaged ceilings can be very dangerous, as they may be either falling down or soon to be falling down. Extreme caution must be used when inspecting ruined ceilings, and the superstructure must be checked out as well. Wooden joists and trusses may be circumspect.

Foundations may be suffering eh least damage, oddly enough, if those foundations are made of poured or block cement. Concrete does well in water, but the key here is to pay attention to the earth on which that foundation is resting. Flooding can undermine once solid ground and create serious problems for any sized building. Along with this idea is that of being very aware of any electrical issues that may arise. Water added to electrical supplies is a problem in and of itself, so these structural issues must be heeded along with the rest.

Again, it bears repeating that flooding can cause some serious trouble for any building at all. Whether the source is from man or nature, the results can be the same, loss and destruction of property. If you have suffered so, consider getting the best help available in order to determine if you can salvage your dwelling with water damage restoration.

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What To Do In Case Of Water Damage

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Most people with water damage in their house will naturally try to salvage items that may or may not be able to be saved. The carpet is one item that is usually affected by a leak or flood. Depending on what type of water it has been exposed to, will be one of the factors to consider.

If the damage was from a leaking pipe, and the water is sanitary, then a carpet could be salvaged. However, if he damage is from water contaminated with sewage, or water from a toilet, then the carpet is full of harmful elements and has to be removed and thrown out as soon as possible. Some try to keep it because they paid a lot of money for it. But it is better to throw it out. People should also call their insurance company to see what type of damage is covered by their policy. They might be reimbursed for the damaged carpet.

It is best to call a professional plumber to fix any leaks and to inspect the home for any other problems that the home owner may not have detected. The next step is to work on the carpet itself. If the entire carpet is soaked, then it might not be able to be saved.

But if there are wet spots in different areas, it might be able to be salvaged. Cut around the wet spot with a box cutter and lift up the wet spots. Pull up the wet padding and replace it.

Place the carpet up on a brick or box to keep it exposed to air. Next, set up fans around the room and allow them to run for thirty six hours. Do not turn them off during this time.

After thirty six hours, if a carpet is not dry, then it is time to replace it. The reality is that if the carpet is still wet after this time, it will never completely dry. There is too many problems that a wet carpet can cause.

The wet carpet will spread bacteria which could lead to mold growth. Mold is a hazardous substance and once it starts to grow, it is tough to stop. There are companies that remove mold from homes. But it is best to keep it out of the home in the first place.

Basements are also areas where mold can grow if there is a water leak or if the area has been flooded recently. This is why it is important to always check pipes for leaks and if there is any flooding, such as after a heavy rain, it is prudent to check the basement for any leaking. One way to help prevent flooding in the basement is to install a rain gutter system.

The gutters will keep water from running off the roof and down into the house foundation where it can build up and seep into the basement. It is much easier to prevent damage from water to the home than it is to deal with the damage that has already taken place. There are many companies that specialize in repairing water damage and in mold removal however, if damage has already occurred.

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Dealing With The After Effects Of Water Damage

Friday, August 20th, 2010

It does not necessarily take a flood to damage a home or belongings with water. Water damage can occur from a pipe, which breaks while the owner is absent. An open window during a rainstorm can cause damage to your precious belongings or simply damage the carpet. An apartment can be flooded by the upstairs neighbors leaving their taps on while they go out for dinner.

No matter what happened to cause it, the water must be dealt with in order to avoid further damage. In an apartment where the resident is not responsible for repairs they would naturally take steps immediately to remove their valuables from further damage. The drying process should begin as soon as possible to prevent more damage.

In a home though the priorities of the resident should change. Stopping the flooding is the first step. If the cause of the water is beyond the ability of the resident to deal with then a professional must be called immediately. As simple and obvious as this sounds when a flood occurs people can forget the basics.

It could possibly be that a professional service that specializes in flood clean up may have to be called in. On the other hand the homeowner can better assess the extent of the damage by first attempting to remove the worst of the standing water. Valuables should be moved to a safe dry place while this takes place.

It is important that a house that has been flooded by well ventilated. Water soaked floors and walls are ideal places for mold to grow. The best way to combat that is to thoroughly dry all surfaces and to keep the area ventilated. If a carpet has sustained damage from water, then a carpet shampooer or steam cleaner might be used. However, commercial vacuums used to dry carpet may be required if the damage is substantial in order to avoid having to replace the carpeting.

Water goes everywhere and the resident should inspect all parts of the home, each piece of furniture and even the interiors of dressers. Any furniture that can be moved to a dry area should be air dried until a professional can attend to it. Some furnishings such as wooden tables and chair legs may do well if dried immediately.

A residence, which has been completely flooded, may not be suitable for living until professionals arrive to clean the carpet. However, the homeowner should check as soon as possible for any signs of hidden damage or seeping areas which can continue to cause damage. If a home is left with semi dry carpets or standing water mold, can speedily take up residence and make it unlivable.

Insurance policies are wonderful in the event of flood, especially if they cover the damage. The homeowner should inventory everything and list any item which has sustained damage. This detailed list can help when filing a claim and though the adjuster should arrive speedily the list will also help his assessment.

A flooded home and water damage is something that no one should have to deal with. Unfortunately, life happens and with it a lot of unexpected events. If it does occur the homeowner should follow the easy steps, of stopping the water flow, securing the damage and then beginning to remove the water and salvage what can be saved.

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