Dealing with water damage has several different details that you need to be prepared for. There is so much more than just cleaning up the water. You have to worry about the mess and even bacteria that water can leave behind. We’ve put together this simple guide to help walk you through all the things you should know about damage repairs.
Damage can occur for multiple reasons, whether you had a leak that eventually caused huge issues, or a burst pipe, or even had flooding throughout the home. It’s important to know how to properly handle the situation and work through cleanup, repair, and restoration.
The Water Makes a Difference
Understanding the type of water that caused your damage makes a difference. Different colors or types of water might require different approaches. Clean water isn’t as concerning. Unclean water causes contamination and carries bacteria.
However, water that is colors like gray, black, or other colors indicates contamination and possibly even toxic substances in the water. These have to be handled very carefully with safety protocols. Anything the water touches also has to be sanitized and disinfected.
If a pipe burst that was not a sewage pipe, it’s probably clean water. Sewage or water from weather flooding may not be clean. Pay attention to these details.
Safety is the Priority
When things dry up, there could still be safety issues. You need to protect yourself before you walk into the mess. There could be bacteria or debris. The possibility of contamination from the water is present. It’s also possible that the foundation or structure could be affected by the water, making the structure unsafe for walking or moving.
Safety is the priority here. You’ve got to consider the safety of what you touch as well as where you move. Consider the risk of electricity if outlets or appliances are affected. You also need to wear appropriate clothing. Put on gloves, safety goggles, and rubber boots before you head in.
Get Things Drying
The faster that you can get the drying process started, the better you will be. The longer water sits, the more damage it can cause. You should move things out of the water as much as possible and then start moving water out.
A restoration company can bring in industrial drying equipment to help here. You should also open doors and windows if able and set up fans or dehumidifiers. Move contents out and away from water to keep them dry and mitigate the potential damage risks.
Mold Risks from Water Damage
Anywhere that water makes an appearance, you run the risk of mold. All mold spores need to thrive is a bit of water and maybe some warmth. In that case, they can thrive and spread quickly. Water is the common denominator here. If there were spores present, you will likely be facing mold damage on top of your water damage.
The best way to avoid mold is to get water out immediately. It only takes about 24 hours for mold to start growing, so this is why speed is absolutely critical.
Water Damage Restoration
When you are dealing with damage, there are a lot of things to consider. The best thing you can do is bring in a restoration service to help dry things out and get your home back in order. Semper Fi Yuma can help with cleanup, water removal, and restoration. Just give us a call!
