Water Damage Dos And Don'ts

By Author: Leo Nov
Total Articles: 883
Comment this article

So your house got damaged by water and you failed to have it insured against water damage. You also cannot afford to hire the services of a water damage expert so you decide to handle all the drying and restoration processes yourself. Do not worry; you can handle it just as long as you follow these dos and don'ts of water damage control.

Dos

(1) If the temperature outside the house is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if they are available.
(2) Remove as much water by using a mop or by blotting them with dry cloth.
(3) Wipe wooden furniture and slowly dry them instead of leaving them under direct sunlight. Slow drying without the use of heat will prevent wood elements of the furniture from warping and deforming.
(4) If possible, use fans in order to circulate the air and to assist in the drying process.
(5) Remove area rugs that have water damage and wash them thoroughly with clean water and detergent before hanging them up to dry.
(6) For large furniture cushions that were soaked, prop them up so that they will dry evenly. Place small wooden blocks and aluminum foil under the ...
... furniture legs to hasten the drying process. The use of aluminum foil will ensure that sunlight will reflect and strike the bottom of the furniture. Aluminum foil is also good in reflecting heat. Be sure that cushions with water damage are dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
(7) Open and if possible, remove all furniture drawers to assess the water damage done to them. Wooden drawers however might get stuck, if this happens do not force them open, instead wait for them to dry a little then try checking if they can be open easily.
(8) Move all photos, paintings and other art works to a safe and dry location. If photos have extreme water damage, then discard them immediately.
(9) Remove damp books from shelves and dry them by spreading out their pages. Do not use heat to dry books.
(10) Dry leather and furs separately at room temperature. Do not use heat to dry these types of fabric.

Don'ts

(1) When removing excess water from the floor, do not use an ordinary household vacuum cleaner. Use an industrial wet or dry vacuum instead.
(2) Even if you are wearing rubber boots, do not use electrical appliances while you are standing on a wet carpet or a wet floor.
(3) When starting your water damage cleanup, do not go into rooms that still have standing water if the electricity is still on. Make sure to turn the main electric switch off first.
(4) Do not lift glued down carpet without the help of a professional since an incorrect way of lifting can cause the carpet to shrink.
(5) Do not delay your water damage cleanup. Start the cleanup immediately once the source of water has been stopped. Prolonging the cleanup process can lead to the growth of molds and other microorganisms and can further deteriorate the soaked materials.
(6) Finally, do not try to do the entire water damage cleanup by yourself. Some tasks are too complicated and need to be handled by certified professionals.
Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about water removal and water extraction, visit RestorationSOS.com.