A flood or other severe storm can cause significant damage to your property, and if you're not careful, water damage can easily be the most consequential. Residential water damage is not only time-consuming to repair but can cost a lot of money the longer you wait. Take a look below at three of the easiest ways you can prevent residential water damage from becoming too big of a problem after a flood.
Get Rid of Moisture
Even if you have completed the flood water extraction process -- meaning floodwater is no longer visible in your home -- there is still likely to be a good deal of moisture in the flooring and walls. This can quickly ruin the fundamental structural parts of your home, and leave you with more damage than you anticipated. In order to avoid this, dry the affected area as soon as possible. It may be possible to dry small areas simply by opening windows for a few days. Larger areas may need fans or dehumidifiers to get the job done. That said, you'll only want to install fans if your home has already been inspected for mold. If mold has already started to grow, the spores are likely to spread with the airflow created by a large fan.
Disinfect Surfaces
Surfaces that have come into contact with flood water are almost certainly teeming with germs and bacteria, many of which can cause serious health problems. Luckily, simply applying a bit of disinfectant to surfaces can make a huge difference. Homemade disinfectant is an inexpensive solution that can be made with just a few ingredients. White vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil are just three effective ingredients that can be mixed together with water to disinfect surfaces after water damage.
Replace Drywall
You'll need to keep an eye on the drywall in an affected area for a few weeks after the floodwater had receded. If you notice that the drywall is sagging in places, then you will likely need to replace the drywall. If there is only one smaller area that is affected, then you can quickly square the area, insert backer boards if necessary, and then apply an aluminum patch over which you can apply as much drywall compound as necessary. Larger areas may require you to replace an entire wall, but regardless of the size, looking out for sagging drywall is a must when dealing with residential water damage.
Reach out to a company like PuroClean of Longwood for more tips.
When you have a fire in your home, or when flood waters seep in and saturate your building materials, you of course feel overwhelmed and saddened. It's terrible to see the home you love — a home that was once comforting and caring — be destroyed by natural or unnatural disaster. But rest assured; the home can be restored. Repair and restoration professionals are capable of making some pretty substantial changes and bringing your home back to its former glory. We've seen it ourselves, and it was a very good feeling! We hope this blog raises your awareness of the work these teams can really do.