Water damage can happen in so many ways: a pipe bursts, someone accidentally leaves a faucet running, or even just heavy rainfall. It can happen at any time of year and at any point during your home’s lifespan. But what if you’re not prepared? What if you don’t have insurance? What if it happens while you’re away on vacation?
Let’s face it: water damage is scary as hell. But it doesn’t have to be. The first step in dealing with water damage is knowing what it is, how it happens, and proper water damage restoration techniques to minimize the damage. And that’s exactly what this comprehensive guide will tell you. Read on, and learn all about water damage restoration.
Water Damage, Fire Damage & Mold Remediation Experts in Orlando, Florida
Water damage restoration is a process that is used to dry out wet materials and to prevent mold from growing. It’s important to know how to take care of your property in the event of a water damage incident, but more importantly, it’s vital that you have a plan in place for what to do if there is a flood or some other type of water-related problem.
When there is water damage in your home or office, it can happen in a number of ways: burst pipes, overflowing toilets, and even plumbing leaks can cause flooding. Water damage can also be caused by storms or natural disasters such as hurricanes.
If you have experienced any kind of water damage, it’s important to act quickly. The longer you wait after an incident happens before taking action, the more likely it will be that mold will develop on your walls and other surfaces. If this happens, then you’ll need professional help from an expert who knows how to handle these situations properly so that everything gets dried out correctly without causing further damage along the way!
Crucial Stages of Successful Water Damage Restoration Orlando Fl
Water can do a lot of damage. It’s not just one thing or one piece of the puzzle that is damaged in most cases. The damage can be extensive. Water is a destructive enemy when it strikes in your home or business. Take a look at this quick review of just what kind of damage you might expect from water:
- Flooring such as carpet, laminate, and vinyl often never recovers from water damage. These most likely will have to be replaced completely, with the exception of rugs that might be able to be cleaned and dried
- Particleboard tends to bow and weaken from water. It might even start falling apart
- Solid wood may hold up better than some things, but water damage could warp it, crack it, or even discolor and stain the wood. This is common of both wooden furniture and flooring
- Plaster takes forever to dry. However, after it dries, it might be salvageable. Your estimator will need to look for cracking and warping to know for sure
- Wallboard or drywall soaks up water, which in turn makes it weak and fragile. It could cause it to crumble and potentially even hold water long after the fact
- Insulation damage will depend on the insulation. Foam boards might be able to be dried and cleaned and reused. However, fiberglass installation will have to be replaced completely, as will blown-in insulation
- Framing materials like wood studs need to be thoroughly inspected. These are sturdier and more solid materials that may still be solid after they have been dried completely. They will need dried and disinfected to be safe
- Appliances and furniture are hit and miss, depending on how much water damage they took in. In most cases, the water damage will render them useless and require removal and replacement.
- HVAC systems can take in water when flooding occurs. If the system takes on water, it could be damaged. At the very least, it will need to be cleaned by a professional. All duct systems will need to be inspected as well.
Water Damage Repair Services in Orlando Fl
Now that we have established some basic information about water damage restoration and what it entails let’s take a look at some of the most important steps you should take when dealing with this type of problem.
1) Removing the Standing Water from The Property:
Once you’ve taken care of the primary source of water damage, it’s time to start working on removing the standing water.
However, as you can probably imagine, this is not an easy task. Standing water not only poses a health risk, but it also causes mold to grow and become more prevalent over time.
So, it’s recommended that you get the water out of your property as soon as possible. The best way to do this is by using a wet vac or extractor fan. These devices will help suck up any remaining moisture in your home and prevent it from sitting on surfaces for too long.
For small nooks and crannies, you may want to use a mop or sponge to soak up the water. You should also consider using a dehumidifier in any areas that are contained within your home. These devices will help remove excess moisture from the air, which will make it easier for mold growth to spread throughout your property.
2) Remove Items That Were Damaged by the Water:
After you’ve dried out your home, it’s time to start removing damaged items. This is one of those times when you really need to be careful about what you touch and how much of the item you handle—even if it doesn’t look damaged yet, it probably is, and you don’t want to be the one responsible for making it worse.
It’s also important to remember that water can penetrate things like walls or ceilings in ways that aren’t always obvious. If there are any signs that water has penetrated into a wall or ceiling (such as bubbling paint or stains), call a professional immediately. Even if they don’t seem like big problems right now, they could lead to bigger issues later on down the line if not taken care of properly right away.
3) Call In Professional Restoration Service Provider:
There are many aspects of water damage restoration that are beyond the scope of an average homeowner. It’s important to know where to look for help and who to call when you need it. If your home has been damaged by water, don’t try to handle things on your own. Call in professionals who are trained in this type of work and who have experience dealing with all types of water damage situations.
From using specialized disinfectants that can help eradicate every essence of bacteria, mold, and mildew to restoring furniture and other household items that have been damaged by water and flood damage, professional restoration service providers are the ones who can help you get your life back in order again.
Water Damage Preventive Tips to Help Ease Your Mind
Let’s dive into some water damage preventive tips that will help you keep your mind at ease.
1) Clean Your Gutters
Gutters are often overlooked when it comes to preventing water damage, but they’re an important part of keeping your home safe. If you don’t clean them regularly, they can get clogged with leaves, branches, and other debris. This will cause water to back up into your house instead of flowing away from it where it belongs! If this repeatedly happens over time, you could find yourself dealing with severe water damage in unexpected places throughout your home.
Make sure to clean out your gutters regularly so that they’re not clogged up with debris or leaves—you can do this by removing whatever is blocking them (usually by hand) or by using a leaf blower or other method if necessary. This will help ensure that any rainwater runoff goes where it needs to go without causing any problems for your property or for your home. If you don’t know how to do this, consider hiring a professional gutter cleaning service.
2) Check the Exterior Walls for Cracks or Chipping
If your home is built on a concrete slab, check the exterior walls for cracks and chips. These can be signs that the foundation is shifting, which can lead to water damage in your home. The same goes for any cracks in brick or stucco siding.
Checking these areas isn’t just important for preventing water damage—it’s also important for keeping your home safe and secure! If you see any signs of damage, it’s best to have a professional look at them right away so they don’t get any worse.
3) Inspect the Basement
Basements are often forgotten places, but they can be just as vulnerable to water damage as the rest of your home. If you have a basement, it’s important to inspect it regularly for signs of flooding and mold growth. If you notice any signs of damage, call in professionals to fix it as soon as possible.
4) Prevent Pipes from Freezing
You’re probably wondering how a pipe can freeze when it’s underground in the ground. Well, the reason is actually pretty simple. The temperature outside fluctuates from day to night, and during the winter months, it can get pretty cold. So, what happens is that there’s water inside your pipes that is warmer than the surrounding air and soil. This hot water will flow through your pipes until it gets to a place where there’s no more heat, at which point it will freeze into ice.
The easiest way to prevent this from happening is by installing an anti-freeze system in your home, which will keep your water flowing even when temperatures drop below freezing outside.
5) Install Leak Detectors
You can’t see the leaks that are happening in your home, but you can hear them. Leak detectors are a great way to keep tabs on where water is coming from, and they’re easy to install. You just place the sensor where you think the leak is coming from, and if it detects moisture, it will let out a beeping sound alerting you to what’s going on. You can also use them as a preventative measure if you have an area that tends to flood or leak often (like your bathroom) or if you have an old pipe that might be prone to leaks.