What Are The Steps Involved With Flood Damage Restoration?

flood damage restoration

Water damage can happen to any home or business at any time but is especially likely during Florida’s hurricane season. That’s why having an understanding of flood damage restoration is so helpful.

There are a series of steps that a home or business owner can take to reduce the amount of damage in the home or commercial building before restoration maintenance takes over. Time is of the essence in these situations so the water doesn’t cause irreversible structural damage to your home or building.

To minimize the amount of damage, be sure to follow the recommended steps below.

Stage 1: Remove Standing Water

It doesn’t take long for mold and bacteria to develop in standing water. Getting that water out is the first step; it will make the rest of the flood restoration process much easier. There are many ways to do this, depending on what materials you have on hand and how deep the water is. You can try to remove the standing water with buckets, mops, or towels and rags but if it has exceeded four or five inches, a wet vacuum can help get the job done faster.

Stage 2: Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate

Next, open up the windows and set up large fans to ventilate the area. Fresh air reduces humidity in the air to help water evaporate. Leave towels on top of any additional puddles.

Stage 3: Remove Water-Damaged Items

Depending on the size of the damaged items, you may need some help with this one. Fire and water restoration services can help remove water-damaged items such as couches and other large pieces of furniture. This step is critical because not all materials are designed to get wet. That means leaving the damaged items in their original place can pose a health risk.

Other hard-to-remove materials include drywall and insulation if they have been saturated longer than 48 hours. These items can also be removed by junk removal services that specialize in disposing of debris from demolitions, rebuilds, and natural disasters. Be sure to choose a company that specializes in handling potentially hazardous materials.

Stage 4: Resist Further Damage

Use mold-resistant paints and drywall that are designed to resist water damage for additional ventilation. You may need to move your family into a hotel or other temporary lodging until you have confirmation that the home is safe to re-enter.

Stage 5: Sanitize Thoroughly

By this point, the hardest part is done: the water has been dried up and removed. Now comes another critical step: disinfecting. Mold and bacteria love standing water, so you’ll need to clean the affected areas well. You can use a combination of hot water mixed with laundry or dish soap to clean away dirt and grime. Next, use one gallon of water per one gallon of bleach as your disinfectant. This mixture will need to sit for at least half an hour to kill growing pathogens. Be sure to wear gloves to avoid getting bleach on your skin.

Step 6: Enlist Professional Help

When you’ve done all you can, call a professional restoration company that offers emergency flood response. The sooner you get the damage taken care of, the better it is for the health of your home.

Flood Damage Restoration And More In South Florida

Water damage happens – especially in South Florida. Restoration Maintenance was founded in 2015 and is one of South Florida’s most trusted water restoration companies. Restoring residential and commercial properties, our services are as innovative as they are cost-effective. Whether your property is damaged from flooding, smoke, or fire, we’ve got you covered. If your home or business is affected, call us today at 954-807-4721.

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