Four Must-Follow Steps For Effective Flood Damage Restoration In Your Home

Has your home suffered extensive water damage due to floods or a burst plumbing pipe? Stagnant water can find its way into the walls, furniture, furnishings, and other valuables. The damage increases the longer you wait to address the flooded sections of your home. Unfortunately, DIY measures may not be adequate to restore your property. Below are the four must-follow steps to effectively restore your home after flood damage.

Water Extraction

Water extraction is the process of removing excess or standing water from a property. The first step in this process is establishing the cause of the flood and mitigating it. In the case of a plumbing leak, locate and fix the burst pipe to prevent further flooding in the home. Remove visible pockets of water using extraction equipment such as pumps and vacuums. You also need to extract non-visible water from carpets, flooring, and walls. Where possible, remove and air dry the water-damaged furnishings and furniture to prevent mold and mildew growth. 

Drying and Dehumidification

Once you've extracted all the water from the home, the next step is to dry and humidify the house. This process removes any remaining moisture from the surfaces and the indoor air. You will require dehumidifiers, high-volume fans, and air movers to properly dehumidify the indoor space. You may also need to leave your doors and windows open to allow adequate airflow, remove moisture, and promote quick drying of the interior spaces.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Flood water can introduce contaminants and debris into your property. Moisture and stagnant water can also cause mold and mildew growth on the surfaces and furnishings. Therefore, it's crucial to clean and disinfect the affected spaces after dehumidifying them. This process entails:

• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces 
• Mold removal and remediation
• Deep cleaning water-damaged rugs, carpets, and furniture such as couches

The scope of the cleaning and disinfection project will depend on the extent of water damage. If you waited too long to call in the professionals, your home might require extensive cleaning and mold remediation. You may also need to conduct a post-remediation inspection to ascertain that there is no more mold on the surfaces or in the air.

Restoration and Repairs

Water damage can leave furniture and structural elements in a devastating state. Therefore, you may need to carry out the following reconstruction and repair work:

• Replacing water-damaged floorboards
• Repainting interior walls
• Replacing damaged wall framing and plaster
• Repairing water-damaged furniture

Again, the extent of the reconstruction and repair work depends on the severity of the water damage. You may even need to underpin the foundation to mitigate the effects of basement and foundation flooding.

Quick response is crucial to prevent extensive structural and furnishing damage. Therefore, contact a flood damage restoration company, like M&R Plumbing Service, for immediate remediation.