Water Damage Cleanup
Step
number one is to stop the water from flowing and start cleaning it up. Take all
necessary safety precautions including turning of the power and wearing gloves
and other protective equipment. Use mops, towels, and other absorbent items to
remove standing water. You will later do a more thorough job of extracting the
water. For now, you’re in damage control mode. Remove items such as furniture,
rugs, and electronics that could be damaged by the water. Wipe down the walls,
removing any debris that may have accumulated. Again, later you will do a more
thorough job of cleaning and disinfecting these areas.
Water Extraction
Once the
area is cleared and it’s safe to turn on the power, you will need to do a more
through water extraction job. Use a wet-dry vacuum to extract as much water as
possible. If the water has soaked through the carpet and down to the pad, you
will need to remove the carpet and extract water from both the carpet and the
pad. In fact, you will most likely need to replace the wet pad. If you must go
to this extreme, you may need a carpet installer’s help in replacing the pad
and reinstalling the carpet.
Clean and Treat Affected Areas
Once
you’ve extracted as much water as possible, it’s time to clean and disinfect
the affected areas. Use disinfectants because no matter how clean the water
source, contamination is likely, especially if carpets are involved. Naturally,
if sewage was involved, disinfecting the affected areas is a must! Floodwaters
are also extremely contaminated, carrying with them fertilizers, animal feces,
chemicals, and other contaminants. Pay special attention to ALL areas that came
in contact with the water including walls, baseboards, flooring, cabinets,
furnishings, and other items. Everything must be thoroughly cleaned and
decontaminated.
Dryout the Area
Finally,
the entire area must be dried out. Open windows and use blowers, fans, and
dehumidifiers to dryout the area completely. This step is crucial and should be
started promptly. The longer the area remains wet, the more likely it is that
mold will arrive. The clock is ticking, so work quickly and efficiently during
the first steps to ensure that this final step can be started as soon as is
practical. If you have a partner, split up. While you’re draining the water,
have your partner start opening windows and gathering the necessary equipment.
Once it’s safe to turn on the blowers, turn them on, even if you are still
extracting the water.
Some water
damage jobs are small enough for the average homeowner to tackle while others
are simply better left to the professionals. In either case, a prompt response
is the best response! If you can handle the job, get started ASAP and do not
delay. If the job is extensive and far beyond your abilities, call a water
damage company right away. Most professionals in this business understand the
urgency of the situation. As you’re waiting for the crew to arrive, and if it’s
safe to do so, stop the flow of water and start mopping up. The pros will
arrive soon, but your initial efforts may be vital in mitigating the damage.
By:
Mr. Mark Decherd
For more information and other
articles by Mark Decherd go to:
Dryout® Inc.
239-437-7100
Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.
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