Drying out your home and personal property after a flood or
other type of water disaster is a dirty, time-consuming job. It can be overwhelming
and as a homeowner, you may not know where to start. Whether you are tackling a
minor water damage situation, or a large disaster involving major flooding and
contamination, the professional water damage cleanup crew at Valleywide Restoration in Chandler
has the manpower and equipment to help you clean up the mess quickly and
minimize the extent of the damage. Here are some helpful tips for you to
consider before taking on a water damage emergency.
Stay Safe
In any water damage remediation job, safety should be the
top priority. If there is standing water, be sure that the power has been
completely turned off; don’t operate any electrical equipment in rooms with
standing water. Protect your hands, eyes, and mouth; assume that all floodwater
may be contaminated with harmful substances and stay out of it.
If the water comes from an inside source like refrigerators
and washing machines, it is most likely clean and unharmful. But the water that
comes in from sewage leaks or flooding from an outside source can contain
harmful contaminants and bacteria that can cause illness in both people and
animals. If you are unsure about where the water is coming from, stay safe and
leave it alone until a professional water damage remediation team
arrives.
Before You Dive In…
Take plenty of photographs of the damage before beginning
the cleanup process as documentation for insurance claims and adjustments. Be
sure to include photos of damaged structures, as well as items from the
affected areas. If you can’t immediately complete the project, repair any
locations where water can re-enter the building. For example, use tarps or
plywood covered with tar paper to patch a roof.
Get The Air Moving
Drying and circulating air is crucial when dealing with
water damage. Start with more convenient options first. Open the windows if the
weather is good. If it’s safe to use electricity, set up box fans to help
circulate air throughout the space. Pedestal fans can be directed to dry higher
areas, and window fans can bring in and circulate fresh air from outside.
Open cabinet and closet doors, take out drawers in furniture
or cabinets to increase airflow. Avoid using a central air or heating system
with any ductwork that has been submerged, as that could blow mold, dirt or
other contaminants into the living space.
If you need more powerful options, Valleywide has
circulators and blower fans that can efficiently move air closer to floor level
to quickly dry the floors. For larger jobs, they will bring portable
dehumidifiers to remove excess water vapor from the air.
Address The Wet
“Stuff”
Once the air is flowing, it’s time to start dealing with
individual items. Remove any soaked items and place outdoors, preferably in
sunlight, to dry. It’s important to focus on larger water-soaked items first,
like rugs and upholstered furniture. If these soft items have been affected by
dirty water, they should be thrown away to avoid harmful bacteria and other
contaminants.
On a large project, Valleywide will pull up flooring that
traps water, like vinyl or linoleum, to allow sub-floors to dry. They will
remove and properly dispose of wet insulation from walls and under floors. Pull
down drywall that was in the water, as it usually deteriorates, and mold grows
easily on the backing paper.
Plan To Prevent Mold
When recovering from a significant flood, any surfaces that
could have come in contact with bacteria from sewage or floodwater must be
fully disinfected by professionals. If you are dealing with a clean leak from
rainwater or pipes, disinfection isn’t as high of a priority, but always a safe
choice.
When You Discover Water Damage In Chandler
Valleywide Restoration is a family-owned and operated
company in Mesa, AZ. We are a local contractor with over 25 years of experience
in the restoration, renovation, and construction industry. Our renovation services are aimed at making
your life easier. From 24/7 emergency response, to free quotes – Valleywide
Restoration is committed to putting your best interests at the forefront.
Please contact our 24-hour emergency service line at (480) 535-7077.
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