Water Damage
Water damage is one of the most frustrating problems that any homeowner can face. Whether it is from something as simple as a small spill, or a major turn such as a flood or burst pipe, water damage has the ability to do immediate and long term harm to your property and your health.
Water can soak carpets, as well as causing floors and drywall to warp and crack. If the water accumulates upstairs, it can put strenuous weight on the ceiling below it, sometimes resulting in collapse. If left unattended, or if not treated thoroughly and in a timely manner, the stage is set for the propagation of mold, which can be extraordinarily difficult to eradicate, and can cause a myriad of health issues from the slight to the severe. Mold remediation is best handled by a professional.
Ideally, you want to find out where the source of the water is coming from, i.e. a leaky faucet or broken roof, and either shut it off or fix it. Cleaning the water up will do no good if you just have more pouring in behind it.
The first step in any water damage cleanup is to remove the excess or standing water, known as water extraction. This can be accomplished through the use of towels ( a lot of them!), a wet-dry vac, or in more extreme cases, submersible or gasoline powered pumps. Your local water damage cleanup professional will have all of these tools and more at his disposal.
Once the water is out, you will find that surfaces and carpet are still wet to the touch. These surfaces will need to be dried thoroughly before any repair work on the structure is to be done. You do this by opening all windows and doors (preferably on a cool, dry day) and placing fans, blowers, airmovers, and dehumidifiers around the affected room. These should be moved every few hours to insure a thoroughly drying job.
You wil also want to check any basements or crawlspaces for evidence of water damage. Moisture and darkness breeds mold, which can do its own breed of damage. I have seen cases where entire city blocks were condemned and demolished, all because of mold.
Once dry, all carpets, flooring, and drywall surfaces that were affected should be cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized. Carpets should be taken up to be cleaned and any damp padding thrown out and replaced. If the carpet itself has been wet for longer than two days, replace it as well.
Your home may also require some measure of reconstruction. Consult an experienced, IICRC certified professional before beginning any such project.
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