Steps to Restoring Your Home After a Flood
Who would believe that water could cause as much harm to your home? A flood can cause a minimal amount of damage or allow you to have to restore so much that you feel as though you’re gutting your house completely… as if you are starting over on the building of your property. Unfortunately, the job has to be done but the outcome will be well worth it after you and your loved ones can return home. You can also save at the process and – in the end – reward yourself for your hard work.
The first step that needs to be taken would be to safeguard repairable and undamaged items. There is a possibility that these items may become damaged after the floodwaters have subsided. If mold and mildew have started growing in your house they’ll continue to grow until the home dries completely and the appropriate measures are taken to rid of these organisms. Mildew will be the first to look at the house; nevertheless, mold is mold in the early stage. It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold growths (or colonies) to start growing in a damp area. Once it has started to grow you shouldn’t use fans to dry a space. This will only make the mold disperse. Discard all wet things in your home including carpets whenever possible. Click this link to learn more.
You can eliminate mold from clothing, bedding, and toys by cleaning and disinfecting those products. With clothes and bedding – add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to a load of laundry. Continue to wash in this fashion until all traces of mold are gone and clothes don’t have a musty odor anymore. If all the mold isn’t removed after this step then put toys back in the skillet and add two foaming denture cleansing pills and warm water. Again, let toys soak immediately and wash using a brush.
Any foods that had a remote chance of getting damp should be lost immediately. The only foods which should be saved are sealed packed foods and canned goods that haven’t been damaged or dented. Remove tags whatsoever. Wash sealed packages with a warm water/dishwashing liquid mix. Scrub with a bristle brush. Another remedy is to boil for 10 minutes. It is extremely important to remove the labels because the paper can hold bacteria that are dangerous.
The sooner you can begin cleaning the inside of your home the easier it’ll be to rid of this mold and mildew growing in your walls, appliances, flooring, and ceilings. Make certain to use gloves, a mask, and a watch protectant. You ought to have the area you’re working in at the time well ventilated. Then rinse with clean water. Regrettably, there is no simple way to rid of mold or mildew on wallboards, plaster, or paneling. The very best method to handle this situation is to remove all that’s been soaked by floodwaters at least to the flooding level. If your home gets the blown-in cellulose type of insulation it is best to rid of this because it holds water for this very long time. Styrofoam and fiberglass batts can be reused should be hosed away and dried completely.
For insurance purposes, it’s best to take plenty of before and after pictures. Keep a daily activity log containing any calls made to your insurance company and conversations that happened. Make sure to keep all the receipts used to buy everything – down into the cleaning supplies. And don’t throw any damaged stuff away until your insurance provider gives you the go-ahead.
Before you start purchasing any cleaning equipment or replacement construction supplies you might want to consider getting the best deal for your need whilst rebuilding your home. There is a way to save on those purchases every day. These savings can add up to an astronomical sum – may be sufficient to replace all the furniture needed to complete making your house a home again. The sooner you begin saving – the more income you’ll have to put back into your pocket. Start saving now!
For Water Damage Restoration, Call the PuroClean Disaster Restoration Experts
As you can see, there are a lot of ways that water can damage your property. Stick to these preventive steps to avoid coping with water damage claims in your home. But if water has affected any of your belongings, you’ll need expert restoration services. For emergency flooding repair and water removal services, contact your regional PuroClean office. Visit puroclean.com for more information.