If your property has suffered from flooding or hurricane damage, you may need Water Damage Clean Up services. The destructive processes caused by water include rotting of wood, mold and bacteria growth, and rusting of steel. Even composite woods can become swollen. Depending on the type of water damage, the damage can also include delamination of materials. Here are some tips for water damage clean up. Listed below are some important tips to help you recover your property after a disaster.
Cleaning Up After A Flood
It is essential to wear proper hygiene gear when water cleaning up after a flood. This includes protective clothing, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking frequent breaks. In addition to wearing a respirator and eye protection, you should also wear long pants and sleeves and rubber boots to protect your feet from shock and keep them dry. Make sure you follow the labeling on disinfectants and other cleaning agents to avoid getting sick. You also need to ensure that all utility services have been shut off to prevent any risk.
While most flooded carpets will need to be replaced, you may be able to salvage valuable ones by hiring a professional cleaning service. Solid wood and laminated wood can also be salvaged if they are able to dry out. Laminated wood can split and deteriorate after a flood, but can often be saved. After drying, you can disinfect wood studs. If you don’t want to replace these materials, you should hire a contractor to help you.
Cleaning Up After A Hurricane
If you are a homeowner or renter in an area prone to hurricanes or flooding, cleaning up after a hurricane is important. Floodwater can be dangerous, and you should limit contact with water until the floodwater recedes. The best way to keep yourself and your home dry is to stay task-oriented and use large buckets to collect the water. Listed below are some tips for cleaning up after a hurricane.
Before beginning the cleanup process, evaluate the damage. Once you have an idea of how much work you will have to do, set a plan to clean up the area safely. Keep safety as your number one priority. Never work alone. Be sure to secure the area before starting the cleanup process. In case you’re working on a damaged property, call your insurance company and explain the situation to them. Take pictures and detailed notes to document any damage.
Mold Growth In Water Damage
The best way to prevent mold growth in a home is to get a thorough water damage cleanup done as soon as possible. The first step to clean up water damage is to determine the source of the moisture. If the source is not immediately clear, drying the building materials will be necessary. As the water is removed, make sure to remove any sewage-contaminated water. Depending on the source of the water, a contractor may be needed to clean the property.
Ventilation is essential in keeping mold spores from growing. Keeping your home air-conditioned will help reduce the risk of mold growth. Standing water or clean water from a broken supply line will degrade in quality over a period of 48 to 72 hours. This will encourage more growth of different kinds of fungi. Additionally, inorganic wall paint slows down the growth of mold. After the water damage clean up process, it is important to use a special anti-fungal agent to prevent the growth of mold.
Classification Of Water Damage
There are three categories of water damage based on their bacterial and chemical content. Category one water damage is the least hazardous to clean up. Examples of this type of damage are flooding caused by storms or severe weather. Other types of category one water damage include leaky faucets or toilet tanks and failures of water heaters and appliances. Unlike Category 2, however, this type of water can change into a category two when it is not cleaned or if contaminants are added.
Water damage that is more toxic can cause health risks to the residents of a structure. In some cases, water damage can lead to death. This category is also known as black water because it contains sewage and other toxic materials. It may also be contaminated by standing or floodwater. In addition, Category 3 water damage is the most expensive to clean up because it requires professional expertise. It is also the most expensive category to clean up because it can be hazardous to humans.
Cost Of Water Damage Cleanup
The cost of water damage cleanup varies widely. While the first type of water damage is sterile, category two and three dirty water are far more hazardous and require much more extensive clean-up. Category three water can be anything from raw sewage to overflowing washing machines. Because of its contaminated nature, category three water cleanup is more costly than category one. However, you can avoid the high costs of category three clean-up by taking steps to prevent water damage.
While the cost of water damage cleanup can vary considerably, you can minimize its costs by following these three tips. First, dry out any affected area completely. This will prevent any mold growth, which will incur additional costs. Next, shut off your water supply. A simple water alarm that detects moisture can prevent major flooding and save you from costly clean-up efforts. They cost between $50 and $150, and can help prevent large-scale damage in your home.
