If you have water leaking in your Los Angeles house, there is the possibility of extensive water damage and other problems. Water can rush in through a broken pipe or flood, but it can also come from an overflowing sink or toilet, a burst spigot or washing machine hose, even trees or other heavy things falling on the roof and causing leaks. The water in your house can become contaminated after a flood for example, and if you have pets, or kids, who may not be able to tell the difference between clean water and contaminated water you could have an awful time.
10 Tips For Dealing With Water Damage
Here are a few tips to help you deal with water damage in the house. Hire a Los Angeles restoration company if you need help with your home.
1. Get out all valuables immediately
You don’t want to keep any valuables in the house as some items can be ruined in even a short duration of time in water, and physical objects easily lose their value when they are damaged by water. Physical objects like jewelry, photos and other valuables should be removed from the house immediately, and stored in a place that is dry as soon as possible.
2. Contact a cleaning service right away
If you have water damage inside your house, you will have to contact a company to get it cleaned up fast. You can contact water damage restoration companies that specialize in water damage cleanup and property repair services. These companies will send a team of professional cleaners to take care of the water damage, as well as salvage any lost or ruined items.
3. Take necessary precautions to ensure that mold doesn’t form.
Your house may suffer mold damage if water has been standing for an extended period of time. You should use fans to ventilate the affected area, and maintain a good humidity level to prevent the growth of mold. The quicker you deal with this problem, the less work it will be for you later.
4. Open all windows and doors
The affected area will have a strong musty smell from being soaked in water for a long time; open all windows and doors as soon as possible to allow fresh air in. This will also help any excess moisture to evaporate.
5. Wash the floor with soap and water
You will want to use hot soapy water to clean the hard surface floors of your house, to remove any dirt or stains; you should use a mop to avoid using too much water in the affected area. You can also wipe down items like bookshelves, chairs and tables with a wet cloth if they are not damaged by standing water.
6. Cleaning up the mold
Once you have cleaned up all standing water, you will want to remove any traces of mold with a household bleach solution. Being careful not to breathe in the bleach vapors, you can use paper towels to wipe down surfaces and hard surfaces. To clean up mold on window sills and other areas that are hard to get at, you can spray them with the bleach solution using a spray bottle; then wipe off any remaining spores after 5-10 minutes.
7. Salvage what you can
If there are any books or papers that were recovered from the water, place them on a dry flat surface to dry out; you can also put them in a food dehydrator if you have one. You can use this method for other items like curtains and clothes too. You should be sure to salvage what you can though, as there may be items inside the house that are not worth salvaging.
8. Put items in a plastic bag if they are wet
If any items that have been in contact with water are wet, you must put them in a plastic bag that is then sealed. You can leave these items sealed until they are dry. The item should not be opened by individuals and removed immediately afterwards, to prevent damage to the item itself.
9. Set up a system to dehumidify the house
You should put an air conditioner or other types of dehumidifiers in your house to help remove excess moisture that may have formed. It may be advisable to place one in each room, but it is important that they are placed outdoors if possible; this will allow the air to flow freely. The air conditioner should not be ducted into the affected area though, as this can create mold problems.
10. Contact the insurance company
If your house has sustained extensive water damage, you should contact the insurance company to get it repaired.
Conclusion
It is important that you take all of the necessary precautions to ensure that your house is devoid of any mold. If there are any items that have been stored in a small space, such as in a closet or a basement, and these have been contaminated by the water you should get rid of these items. You do not want your family to be breathing in mold spores for too long, and it is better to get rid of them than to risk it.
Cleaning up the damage caused by water is a job for a professional company. If you contact a company to help with this job, they will also save any valuables that may have been damaged in the flood. You should never try to clean up the mess yourself too, as you could cause further damage to your property.