Tips for handling a Water Damage emergency

Some things are impossible to predict, among them are home floods. Whether they are caused by natural disasters like heavy storms or hurricanes or by man-made problems like a broken or leaking pipeline, a faulty sump pump or accidentally leaving the bathtub faucet open, these floods have to be dealt with immediately, repair the damage to prevent further issues from developing. At Express Water Damage Repair in Boca Raton, FL, have gathered the best tips offered by professionals on how to handle water damage, increasing the chances for a successful flood damage restoration.

As always the first step is to turn off water supply and electricity to the affected area, after that, you’ll be contemplating your flooded home and probably wondering “what the heck am I supposed to do now?” Well, now you need to get your hands working, assess the damage and began the water damage restoration process quickly. Remember, wet materials start developing terrible symptoms like mold within the first twenty-four. You cannot afford to sit around and wait, you need to act fast.

After ensuring both water and electric supply has been turned off, the next tip will be to know the different types of water flooding your home.

As weird as it sounds, there are three different types of water responsible or a home flood. The first one is clean water, it comes from rain, condensation, broken pipes, etc. It is harmless to get rid of this water and begin a quick restoration process. But, if you want professionals to handle it, you can always trust Express Water Damage Repair in Boca Raton, FL. The second one is “gray” water, it comes from dishwashers, bathtubs, sinks, clean toilets, among others. They may contain small amounts of contaminants, but it still safe to clean it by yourself, as long as you do it carefully and wear the necessary protective gear. Last, but definitely not least, is black water, it comes from sewage and over flooding rivers or lakes, this water contains waste, dangerous bacteria, and other hazardous contaminants. Black water flooding is the worst kind and you should not attempt to clean it up by yourself, it represents a serious threat to one’s health and can do far worst damage to your property if not dealt with quickly and properly. At Express Water Damage Repair we recommend you contact the pros quickly to start the restoration process.

Once you’ve identified the type of water and gotten rid of it, it is time to inspect the affected areas for serious issues like Mold.

Inspect the affected areas in search of mold and mildew. These troublesome invaders begin to grow within the first twenty-four given the right conditions. If the flood was originated from a leaky pipe or attic condensation, it is possible that mold has been growing in your home for a long time without you noticing it. If you do find mold or mildew during your inspection, be very careful, as some of it can be toxic for humans. Also, the mold is seriously damaging to the materials it infects.

If the mold infested area is small, cut it out, put it in a bag, and throw it far away from your home, if the problem is more serious you may want to seal off the affected area, shut down any airflow to prevent spores contaminating the rest of your home, and give us a call at Express Water Damage Repair in Boca Raton, FL, mold remediation is a key element of any water damage restoration process, and our expert teams of technicians are fully trained in the best techniques to remove mold from your home. 

Removing the water, drying the affected areas, and eliminating mold are all good first steps when handling water damage repairs, however, after doing all that, your main focus should be fixing your water damaged ceilings.

Gravity makes water damaged ceilings a life-threatening situation. You need to avoid them sagging or collapsing in itself. Remove the broken panels or boards first. If the leak is caused by issues on your roof, you need to detect these problems quickly. If you are unable to find them, you can always call the pros at Express Water Damage Repair in Boca Raton, FL, to fix this problem for you. While you are inspecting the roof for leaks, you can also check the beams and rafters looking for any signs of structural damages. Our express can also help you with that.

When dealing with water damage repairs, it is important you always check with your insurance company first before starting any work or you could put your overall coverage at risk. Finally, replace all damaged wood and drywall as soon as the area has been properly dried, you may want to take the opportunity to install waterproof floorings.