How to dry out your home after water damage or flooding?
Drying up a building as a result of flooding or water damage is a tedious operation. Here are some tips to help you accomplish this task.
Protect yourself
In any water cleaning situation, safety should be your top priority. Get ready for work by making sure the power supply has been completely cut off in all flooded spaces. Do not use electrical appliances in rooms where water is stagnant. Protect your hands, eyes and mouth, as flood water could be contaminated with harmful substances.
Next, determine the type of water damage. You can repair damage caused by clean water (rain, leaking pipes, etc.) and gray water (slightly dirty water from washing machines, clean toilets, etc.). However, damage resulting from black water (sewage leaks or flooding of nearby rivers, etc.) is too dangerous and should be managed by qualified professionals. If you are unsure of your situation, call a professional who has specialized equipment for water and flood sanitation.
Before you start, you need to have How to dry your home
Take many pictures of the damage before starting work. This will help to make claims to insurance companies in the event of a claim. Be sure to include photos of damaged structures, as well as objects from the affected areas.
Repair any areas where water may re-enter the building, including roof damage. Repairs may be temporary, but expect them to last several weeks. Use tarpaulins or plywood covered with tarpaulin to repair a roof, for example.
Circulating the air
Drying and air circulation are essential in case of water damage. Open windows as soon as external conditions permit. If it is safe to use electricity, install fans to help circulate air in the room. Pedestal fans can be directed to higher locations, ceiling fans and blower fans can bring air down to the floor, and window fans can bring in and circulate fresh air from outside.
Then open the doors of cabinets and closets, remove drawers from furniture or cabinets to allow air to move and dry the affected areas. Avoid using an air or central heating system with ducts that have been submerged, as this could blow mold, dirt or other contaminants into the living space.
Remove moisture sources
Once the air circulates, it’s time to start taking care of the items in your rooms. For large jobs, you can rent or buy a portable dehumidifier to remove excess water vapor from the air. Empty the water drawer frequently to make sure it is running at its maximum capacity, or attach it to a hose that drains water out of the house.
Remove all soaked items and place them outside, preferably in sunlight, to dry or discard. It’s important to focus first on large objects soaked in water, such as carpets and upholstered furniture. If these soft items have been affected by dirty water, they should be discarded to prevent the proliferation of harmful bacteria and other contaminants.
Remove water-retaining flooring, such as vinyl or linoleum, to allow subfloors to dry. Remove and discard damp insulation from walls and under floors. Remove drywall that was immersed in water, as it usually deteriorates, and mold grows easily on the covering paper.
Clean and prevent mold
If you are recovering from a major flood, it is essential that all surfaces that may have been in contact with bacteria from sewers, among others, are fully disinfected by professionals. In the event of a rainwater or pipe leak, disinfection is not a priority, but always a safe choice.
Using a bleach mixture or other mold prevention solution, treat any surface that has been exposed to water leakage or flooding. Apply a special anti-mold product according to the manufacturer’s instructions or lightly spray and wipe a bleach mixture to make sure mold spores don’t survive.
Once you have dried up your home, it will be time to start the repair and reconstruction phase.
