In the event of water damage or a flood, restoring your home back to its original condition is very important. The sooner you can act, the better you’ll be able to minimize the damage and save some of your possessions. You may be wanting to save money up front, but the way you handle your flooded house cleanup will affect how much money you have to spend in the future for repairs and extended damage that you were unable to resolve the first time. To prevent that situation from happening, here are some tips on cleaning up after a flood, and how professional water damage restoration companies can properly handle this situation for you.
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Get Rid of the Water
Even if there is only a little bit of water in the area, you should still do whatever you can to get rid of it and prevent it from increasing. Even damp areas are a breeding ground for mould. Mould can ruin your walls, floors, furniture, carpets, and lead to hazardous indoor air quality that can lead to asthma and severe illness. By getting rid of the water as soon as possible you will be better able to keep your home’s air clean and healthy by preventing the spread and growth of mould. You should consider calling your insurance company regardless of the severity, but if the damage is too hard to handle alone, you should call a professional restoration company to clean your flood-damaged home.
Disconnect Power
In the event of a flood or water damage, it is very important that you disconnect any power in the area. You should unplug any electronics and remove them immediately. This may also include furniture. The sooner you get these items out of the way of the water, the more likely you will be able to save them and prevent further damage to the electrical systems of your house. Disconnecting the power will also make it safer for the restoration company to work, and prevent any instances of electrocution and short-circuiting.
Deal with Furniture
If your furniture has been affected by a flood or water damage, it can be very hard to part with your items. Even so, it is better to remove damaged items than keep them and risk mould growth and other health concerns for your family. If you have solid wood furniture, you should take it outdoors, remove the drawers or doors, and clean it properly. You should thoroughly brush or wash dirty furniture with a soap and water solution to get rid of any bacteria. Your furniture should be left to dry outdoors, but not in direct sunlight. If your furniture is badly damaged, you may need to seek professional refinishing. As for flood damaged mattresses, they should be discarded.
Assess Damage to Carpet and Walls
In the event of a flood, carpet usually does not last. Although it is difficult to throw things away, carpet can be damaged after being soaked and you will likely have to replace your flooring. Some carpet shrinks after it is wet and will not fit into the same space the way it did before the flood. Even if you try to completely dry out the carpet before mould starts to grow, sometimes it is not worth the risk to keep it. Consider any dampness and water that forms underneath the carpet. Here is the perfect place for mould to grow, which can be very dangerous to the health of your family. If there is a flood, it is always best to remove the carpet and replace it. As for walls, they also need to be closely inspected to ensure that there is no water damage inside. Drywall can easily crumble when wet, and the backing of the paper is a good place for mould to grow as well. Any part of the wall that is affected by water may need to be cut out and rebuilt.
Prevent Mould Growth
You may want to try to save money and disinfect your home on your own, but you may actually cause future damage if you do not do the job properly. Instead of risking the stir up of mould spores, or forgetting to inspect hidden damp areas, you can work with professionals to make sure the job is done right. Professional water damage and restoration companies can thoroughly dry out and disinfect the area using special equipment. This will prevent any future mould from growing, providing continued resistance.
Sanitize the Affected Area
Professional restoration companies will clean, and sanitize the affected area so that if you have any dirty water coming into your house, you can be sure that your home is safe to live in once they are finished. Aside from dirty water entering your home, you also want to make sure that bacteria is removed from your floors, walls, and any affected furniture that is salvageable. Professional companies can handle these difficult responsibilities for you, so that you end up saving money in the long run.
Call us for Flood Damage Cleaning in Vaughan
If you want to know how to clean up after a flood, there is a professional water damage restoration company that can help you in an instant. Water cleanup services provided by the experts will save you time and money, and provide effective solutions to limit any additional damage to your home. Since the job will be done right the first time, you can have the job completed with peace of mind in knowing your home and family is safe and healthy. Flood Services Canada offers advanced, professional water damage repair and house flooding cleanup and will drain, dry, extract, and salvage as much as possible to minimize or eliminate any lasting damage. Contact us at (416) 302-2107 to learn more about our services, or use our emergency hotline at (416) 999-3930 to get our rapid-response teams deployed to your location.
