Water damage can be very costly to repair, especially if you are without insurance. When damage to your home is extensive, such as in a flood, it may be necessary to hire water damage repair professionals to remove the damage and restore your home to its previous condition. Water damage can cause all kinds of structural harm to your home such as rot, algae growth, mildew, cracking, mold, wood decay, and others.
Water damage repair covers a wide variety of services and products. Most damage repair companies use eco-friendly methods to protect the environment while improving the look, safety, and functionality of your home. The goal of eco-friendly restoration is to prevent further degradation of the environment by using products and methods that are not harmful to people or the environment. Some examples of Eco-friendly water damage repair include cleaning with natural and environmentally friendly products, repairing roof, flooring, walls, insulation, appliances, baseboards, and water fixtures.
The first step in water damage repair is to stop the problem from occurring. The key to effective flood and sewer cleanup is to stop the water before it begins to fill up your basement or other areas. Check for leaks around sinks, toilets, and faucets. For leaks, you may need to purchase a special device that allows you to detect them when they occur. Other common causes of leaks are faulty pipes, plumbing joints, or compromised drain lines.
After detecting leaks and repairing any needed repairs, you should remove any objects that will need to be removed during the flood cleanup process. This could include carpeting, furnishings, drywall, insulation, furniture, etc. Your water damage repair professional will provide you with specific instructions as to how to safely remove and dispose of these items.
Once the cleanup process is completed, you can begin to dry out your home using fans, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners. Make sure that all windows and doors are completely open to allow proper ventilation. Air conditioners should be set on the lowest temperature possible and fans should be turned on to circulate the air throughout the house. If you have any electrical wiring or water hoses in your home, these will also need to be taken care of before your water damage repair team goes to work.
Next, you will be required to contact your insurance company to determine whether or not you will need to file a claim. Usually, your insurance company will not pay for water damage repair if the damage is not due to negligence or theft. However, if your water damage repair proves to be extensive, your insurance company may cover some or all of the cost. This will depend on your specific policy, so speak with a local agent to learn more about coverage options. Once your insurance company determines that you may need to water damage repair, they will ask you to sign a formal statement declaring that your home is unoccupied at this time.
Depending on your particular water damage repairs, you may need to disinfect the area. Typically, disinfectants are used to remove the remains of mildew, mold, and mildew. While disinfectants are safe, it is always a good idea to consult with a qualified professional first. In many cases, a disinfectant is unnecessary as there are often no harmful chemicals to worry about.
Before you can disinfect, you will need to remove all items contaminated with mold spores from your home. Make sure to use clean towels and clothes prior to disinfecting. Mold spores can enter the air while you are disinfecting, so it is important to keep yourself and your family safe. If you must disinfect, you may want to consider bringing in an outside disinfectant before attempting to do the water damage repair. You can find a number of different outside disinfectants that work well.