Do you know that water in your home’s foundation can lead to damage and mold growth? It saturates the soil, seeps into cracks, and floods your basement. It is nothing but trouble.
Foundation repair contractors can help you solve the problem. However, you should know what to do if your house is flooded. You can reduce the amount of damage if you take care of the problem earlier. Here’s why you should do when your house has water damage
Safety First
The first step after any home disaster is to keep yourself and your family safe. Turn off the power, but don’t forget to wear protective clothing while you do so. You don’t want to be electrocuted at this crucial hour. Gloves and rubber boots would do the job.
Instruct your family to wear protective gear as well. If the water damage is bad enough, debris, harmful chemicals, and sewage can mix with the water in your house. It’s best to protect your loved ones’ health.
Stopping the Water
Once you know where the water comes from, it’s of utmost importance to stop it. If it’s from a leak, repair it. If it’s from a burst pipe, fix the plumbing. If it’s caused by a malfunctioning or broken sump pump, replace it immediately.
You should also examine the color of the water. Colorless water often comes from rain. Gray or slightly dirty water can come from clean toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers. Brown or almost black water, however, will always come from sewage or nearby bodies of water such as rivers or lakes.
Inspect for Mold
Mold can develop in as fast as 24 hours. If you leave water damage for too long, mold can develop and thrive within your walls and floors. Worse, it can grow on your furniture and other stuff in the house.
Mold is toxic to humans, so it needs to be removed immediately. Throw away everything that contains mold. For mold that is already on your walls and floors, you have to leave it in the hands of the experts. Remember to be on the lookout for mold or mildew.
Dry the Affected Area
Get rid of all moisture before it causes further damage. Use a heavy-duty dehumidifier inside your house to dry the surrounding furniture, walls, and floors. For water damage caused by small leaks, allow fans to circulate the air around the affected area.
Cleanup Time
Once the water is gone, it’s time to clean the house. This might involve identifying which items are still salvageable and which ones should be thrown away. You might also need to remove insulation, drywall, and flooring to prevent the spread of mold or mildew. Depending on the level of water damage, your furniture should be cleaned or discarded.
In worse situations, moisture can damage your home beyond repair. Heavy structural consequences include foundation cracks, wood rot, and mold. But even small leaks can require major repairs. If you’re lucky, you can stop it before it spreads.
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