How do you clean up after a water leak?
Basement and Crawlspace Water Damage Repairs
It's frustrating for every homeowner when water damage strikes. Leaks and flooding can cause furniture, appliances, walls, and carpeting to become damaged. It's recommended to call a water damage restoration team to handle any water restoration you may need, however, if you already have some experience or the damage is minor, you may be able to do it yourself with the right guidance.
First of all, unplug everything. It is very dangerous to enter a water damaged home if electronics are plugged in. Carefully unplug everything from the wall and turn off any appliances before you begin the clean up.
Soak up as much water as possible with a wet/dry vac. If you don't have one, you can often rent one at a hardware store. To begin the process of drying out the floor and walls, run the vacuum over your floors, walls, and anywhere else where you notice built up water damage. Sop up as much set in water as possible with the wet/dry vac.
For water damaged carpet, steam cleaning is your best option. You can also rent a steam cleaner at a local hardware store if you do not own one. Run the steam cleaner over the water damaged carpet to remove moisture and clean your carpeting. If the carpet has too much water damage, you will need the professionals.
Water damage can cause the build up of bacteria in your walls, floors, and carpeting. Be sure to disinfect everything. You can buy a disinfectant cleaner at a local grocery store or hardware store. If possible, ask a worker for a disinfectant specifically designed to treat water damage. Scrub down your walls and floors with a disinfectant. Carefully read the directions of the disinfectant you purchase. Different disinfectants will need to be diluted with different levels of water.
You can also make a solution at home using a combination of bleach and water. It depends on the type of bleach you're using, but half a cup of bleach per gallon of water is usually a safe ratio.
Even after sopping up most of the water, there is likely some lingering water in your floors and carpeting. Keep fans in the room and have them on for 24 hours a day. This can speed up the drying process. You should also place a dehumidifier in the room if you have one. If you don't have a dehumidifier, consider renting one, purchasing one, or borrowing one from a friend. They can really speed up the drying process.
As you can see, a lot is involved with cleaning up damage caused by water and flooding. For most homeowners, it's easier to use a water removal professional than to do it themselves. Price is often a factor in deciding to do it yourself, however, most water damage cleanup companies will work with your insurance to ensure you personally pay as little as possible.
First of all, unplug everything. It is very dangerous to enter a water damaged home if electronics are plugged in. Carefully unplug everything from the wall and turn off any appliances before you begin the clean up.
Soak up as much water as possible with a wet/dry vac. If you don't have one, you can often rent one at a hardware store. To begin the process of drying out the floor and walls, run the vacuum over your floors, walls, and anywhere else where you notice built up water damage. Sop up as much set in water as possible with the wet/dry vac.
For water damaged carpet, steam cleaning is your best option. You can also rent a steam cleaner at a local hardware store if you do not own one. Run the steam cleaner over the water damaged carpet to remove moisture and clean your carpeting. If the carpet has too much water damage, you will need the professionals.
Water damage can cause the build up of bacteria in your walls, floors, and carpeting. Be sure to disinfect everything. You can buy a disinfectant cleaner at a local grocery store or hardware store. If possible, ask a worker for a disinfectant specifically designed to treat water damage. Scrub down your walls and floors with a disinfectant. Carefully read the directions of the disinfectant you purchase. Different disinfectants will need to be diluted with different levels of water.
You can also make a solution at home using a combination of bleach and water. It depends on the type of bleach you're using, but half a cup of bleach per gallon of water is usually a safe ratio.
Even after sopping up most of the water, there is likely some lingering water in your floors and carpeting. Keep fans in the room and have them on for 24 hours a day. This can speed up the drying process. You should also place a dehumidifier in the room if you have one. If you don't have a dehumidifier, consider renting one, purchasing one, or borrowing one from a friend. They can really speed up the drying process.
As you can see, a lot is involved with cleaning up damage caused by water and flooding. For most homeowners, it's easier to use a water removal professional than to do it themselves. Price is often a factor in deciding to do it yourself, however, most water damage cleanup companies will work with your insurance to ensure you personally pay as little as possible.
When the unexpected happens, call on the quick response of Disaster Plus
(801) 224-5440
Our emergency response center is here to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
(801) 224-5440
Our emergency response center is here to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
