Water removal after a flood, storm damage or any other situation requires careful planning and excellent execution. In short, you need to know what steps it takes to remove the moisture from your home to prevent the onset of harmful bacteria and mold growth. A professional handles the process often, but many individuals still want to know what it takes to get their home or business back in shape and safe to live in. It is not always an easy process, either.
Getting the Flood Out
In water removal, a few steps need to be considered first. The most important is getting as much of the actual water out as possible. There are several things to consider here.
-It may be necessary to use a truck mounted or portable pump to remove much of the liquid. Pumps can drain most of what is standing in place.
-The next step is drying. It becomes critical to seal off any areas where the moisture is getting in and then to allow the outside air or dehumidifiers that are brought in to really dry out the area.
-Finally, the next step is to restore any damage to the area that resulted from the flooding. What most people do not realize is that this is where the extensive work begins.
Restoration of your home or business after such a flood will require time and attention to detail. It takes just forgetting one area or just missing one problem to find yourself facing costly damages and significant mold buildup. That’s why it is so important to turn to a professional whenever possible for this type of treatment.
What to Think About
If you are doing the water removal and cleaning yourself, you will need to consider everything that encountered the moisture. This includes removing and either cleaning or replacement carpeting and the padding underneath. You also need to consider all plumbing, especially if there was damage to it. You need to remove and replace as needed: drywall, insulation, walls and flooring. Sometimes, there is damage to electrical wiring. You may also have damage to your roof if a storm is the cause of the flooding.
When all of these things are thought about and planned for, you can reduce the risk of having a lasting problem in your home as a result of a storm or flood. Water removal is an important part of this process, but it is not the only thing to consider. Most of the work comes, in fact, after you have the flood out of your home and the area is dry. Without attention to details, you could end up with significant problems related to the flood for years to come.
Infographic created by Avvio Solar, a solar installation company