How to Do it Yourself - Water Damage Cleanup

While hurricanes and floods are the cause of thousands of water damage claims each year, water damage isn't limited to the wrath of storms. Burst pipes, clogged water lines, toppled water heaters, overflowing toilets, and automatic fire sprinklers also cause their fair share of flooding. Not only must you stop the water from flowing, you must also mop it up. Where to start? Here are a few pointers.

First, it's important to shut off the water in order to minimize the water damage. This could be as simple as reaching behind the toilet and shutting off the valve or as complicated as locating the home's main water shut off valve. Take the time now, before a flood, to locate the main shut off valve and learn how to shut off the water. This valve is usually located outside the home in a utility box. Contact your water utility if you are not able to locate it.

While you're at it, find out where your home's electrical fuse box or circuit box is located and learn how to turn off power to your home safely. Water and electricity are a deadly combination. Depending on the nature of the flooding, you may need to turn off power to certain areas of the home or the entire building.

Once you have the water and power shut off, you can begin mopping up. If the water is still dripping, take preventative action. For example, if the flood occurred upstairs and the water is seeping through the floor to the room below, place containers beneath to capture the water if possible or cover the carpet with a tarp and place towels on top to absorb the water. If the ceiling is sagging, it means that water is collecting there. It will eventually burst or seep through. Once the floor is protected, poke tiny holes in the ceiling and release the water.

Mop up the water damaged area using absorbent sponges or a wet/dry vacuum cleaner (if it's safe to do so). Remove as much excess water as possible. Move furniture from the damaged area and dry it off completely. If the upholstery is damaged, remove the cushions, use absorbent sponges to soak up as much water as possible, and place outside to dry.

If the walls are affected, remove paintings and place them in a safe location. You may need to remove wallpaper and repaper the walls once everything has dried out due to the mold concerns.

Open the doors and windows if it's dryer outside to help remove moisture and speed up the drying process. It's critical to dry out the area completely to reduce the chance of mold setting in.

Now that you have the basic mop-up complete, you have a few phone calls to make. Call your insurance agent to see if the damage is covered and your local water restoration company to assist with repairs.

Water Damage Repair - Categories and Precautions

Water damage affects a large number of damages to property as well as systems or electronic/electrical equipment. It could rust steel or make wood rot or effect laminated equipment like boards on furniture etc. The water damage repair process, therefore, is a tedious and lengthy process.

The damage could be slow or be quite quick as in case of floods or water-logging. Sometimes innocent looking spotting may appear on surfaces and would be the first signs of damage. A substantial size of the property damage, annually, is attributed to water. The alarming part is most insurance policies would not water damage repair without an addendum &/or a charge.

People or businesses badly affected by large scale flooding may be able to seek government assistance via grants to help cover some of their losses.

The three categories of water damages:

o Clean water or White water: This category of water does not pose a threat to people and sources could include water-supply pipes, domestic piping overflows or blockages or malfunctions of electronic equipment.

o Grey Water: This category has substantial degrees of contamination, chemicals, micro-organisms or pollutants which could cause illnesses if consumed or sometimes even exposed to it. Eg. Water from dish-washers or washing machines/dryers, toilet drainage with urine content (non-faecal) etc.

o Black Water: Black water is plain and grossly unsanitary and could contain viruses, bacterium, fungus and the like. This category of water-damage effects mostly indoors and could also include water from streams, rivers, stagnant water, sea-water in case of hurricanes or typhoons and the like. Grey water that may have been untreated or not removed and has been stagnant could then be classified as Black water - irrespective of colour, content or odour.

Restoration / Repair of Water Damaged Property / Goods

Professional 'water-damage repair' services /companies are certified by government / federal agencies and employ various water-removal methods, depending on the extent of areas affected and the category of water therein. Sometimes effected people themselves could do the salvage and restoration themselves. However, water damage company's specialists are considered due to their expertise and experience in similar situations and are usually found listed under 'Fire & Water Damage Restorers / Services' in business directories.

Precautions

One does not have to necessarily suffer water damage, like Miami & Florida residents of late, just because one lives in such locations, where water-damage has taken high tolls in recent times. Simple precautions and steps will help one be prepared in an exigency and keep the family safe.

1. Emergency Planning - plan escape routes, each family member could carry copies of important & emergency phone numbers; maybe even an emergency bag each, which could contain all basics.

2. Raise Electrical Systems - Heaters, Electrical Panels etc. need to be out of waters' reach and need to be fastened on concrete flooring so that huge surges may not dislodge them. Do also remember to cut main power-supply in case of water-logging and have circuit-breakers installed.

3. Flood Barriers & Water-proofing sealants - High walls can be disguised with some creepers or fencing and the like, to retain aesthetics and money thus spent - is always well invested. Basement walls and lower levels need fixing with waterproofing sealants.