Do-it-Yourself Water Damage Cleanup

Water damage doesn’t take long to occur when water is left to accumulate in your home. In fact, time is of the essence and even if you call a water extraction company, you will likely want to start the process. Whether you have a small, do-it-yourself water damage cleanup job or want to get a jumpstart in mopping up before professional help arrives, the process consists of the following steps: cleanup, extract, treat, and dry out.

Water Damage Cleanup

Step number one is to stop the water from flowing and start cleaning it up. Take all necessary safety precautions including turning of the power and wearing gloves and other protective equipment. Use mops, towels, and other absorbent items to remove standing water. You will later do a more thorough job of extracting the water. For now, you’re in damage control mode. Remove items such as furniture, rugs, and electronics that could be damaged by the water. Wipe down the walls, removing any debris that may have accumulated. Again, later you will do a more thorough job of cleaning and disinfecting these areas.

Water Extraction

Once the area is cleared and it’s safe to turn on the power, you will need to do a more through water extraction job. Use a wet-dry vacuum to extract as much water as possible. If the water has soaked through the carpet and down to the pad, you will need to remove the carpet and extract water from both the carpet and the pad. In fact, you will most likely need to replace the wet pad. If you must go to this extreme, you may need a carpet installer’s help in replacing the pad and reinstalling the carpet.

Clean and Treat Affected Areas

Once you’ve extracted as much water as possible, it’s time to clean and disinfect the affected areas. Use disinfectants because no matter how clean the water source, contamination is likely, especially if carpets are involved. Naturally, if sewage was involved, disinfecting the affected areas is a must! Floodwaters are also extremely contaminated, carrying with them fertilizers, animal feces, chemicals, and other contaminants. Pay special attention to ALL areas that came in contact with the water including walls, baseboards, flooring, cabinets, furnishings, and other items. Everything must be thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated.

Dryout the Area

Finally, the entire area must be dried out. Open windows and use blowers, fans, and dehumidifiers to dryout the area completely. This step is crucial and should be started promptly. The longer the area remains wet, the more likely it is that mold will arrive. The clock is ticking, so work quickly and efficiently during the first steps to ensure that this final step can be started as soon as is practical. If you have a partner, split up. While you’re draining the water, have your partner start opening windows and gathering the necessary equipment. Once it’s safe to turn on the blowers, turn them on, even if you are still extracting the water.

Some water damage jobs are small enough for the average homeowner to tackle while others are simply better left to the professionals. In either case, a prompt response is the best response! If you can handle the job, get started ASAP and do not delay. If the job is extensive and far beyond your abilities, call a water damage company right away. Most professionals in this business understand the urgency of the situation. As you’re waiting for the crew to arrive, and if it’s safe to do so, stop the flow of water and start mopping up. The pros will arrive soon, but your initial efforts may be vital in mitigating the damage.