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Experiencing food damage can feel terrifying. If you’re going through this, we know you’re scared, but first things first, don’t panic.
There is a solution for everything and you can get your home back to normal. In today’s article, we’ll walk you through the process of everything you need to do to restore your home. Let’s get to it.
First, Make Sure That You’re Safe
Water damage can lead to some serious safety risks. So, the absolute first thing you have to do is make sure you and your loved ones are safe.
Check for:
- Electrical danger: If there’s standing water and your electricity is still on, don’t go inside. Shut the power off at the breaker box (from a dry location) or call a professional.
- Structural damage: Floods can make your floors, walls, and ceilings weak. If anything seems unstable, stay out of the area until it’s been inspected.
- Contaminated water: If the flooding came from a sewer, river, or heavy storm, the water may contain bacteria and chemicals. That’s why you have to wear rubber gloves, boots, and a mask (or wait for a cleanup crew).
If you need some help dealing with everything, you can contact disaster restoration services. Professionals have a lot more experience and know exactly what will lead to the best outcome.
Document All of the Damage
Before you start moving things around, take photos. This helps a lot if you’re filing an insurance claim. You want to take clear pictures of:
- Water levels on walls or furniture
- Damaged floors, electronics, and your belongings
- Mold or staining
- Wet drywall, insulation, or ceilings
We know that this isn’t exactly what you want to do, but it can seriously help your case when dealing with your insurance company later.
Call Your Insurance Company
If you have insurance, give them a call as soon as possible. Here’s what you should ask:
- What does your policy cover?
- Should I wait for an adjuster before I start cleaning up?
- Is there anything I should do while waiting for the claim to be processed?
You need to know that some policies cover water damage, while others don’t (especially if the flooding came from outside the home). Still, you should check, and your insurance rep can walk you through the next steps.
Source: AI
Start Removing the Water ASAP
Now comes the not-so-fun part. Getting rid of the water.
Here’s how you do it:
- Use a wet/dry vacuum: If it’s a smaller flood, this is a literal lifesaver.
- Mop and blot: Old-school but effective. Towels, mops, and buckets still do the trick.
- Rent or borrow pumps: For larger floods, you might need a sump pump or water pump (you can find these at hardware stores).
- Open doors and windows: Airflow is always great for getting the water out faster. If the weather allows it, open up all of your windows and get some ventilation going.
The faster you get the water out, the less damage and mold you’ll have to deal with later. We know this is super stressful, but you have to act, because more damage isn’t just inconvenient, it can be expensive.
Dry Everything Out
Once the water is gone, we hate to say it, but your home still isn’t completely dry yet. Moisture hides in carpets, walls, furniture (even the air). This is the phase where you stop mold in its tracks.
Here are a few tips for drying out:
- Use fans: Big box fans or industrial blowers work the best. Just point them at wet areas and let them run nonstop for a few days.
- Dehumidifiers: These pull moisture out of the air and speed up the drying process.
- Remove rugs and furniture: It’s best to take them outside to dry in the sun.
- Tear out soaked carpet padding: Unfortunately, you have to throw out carpet padding if it’s been saturated with water.
- Check your walls: If drywall or insulation is soaked, it may need to be cut out and replaced.
Clean and Disinfect Everything
Floodwaters can often contain bacteria, dirt, and even some chemicals. So once things are drying out, it’s time for a deep clean.
- Disinfect all surfaces: Use a bleach solution (1 cup of bleach per gallon of water) or a commercial disinfectant to disinfect everything.
- Wash clothes and linens: Thoroughly wash and dry anything that has touched floodwater.
- Throw away porous items: Sadly, you may have to throw some things out (like your soaked mattress, upholstered furniture, or kids’ toys) if you can’t clean and dry them thoroughly.
If the water was from a clean source (like a pipe), this step might be easier. But it’s still important to be thorough.
Source: Freepik
Prevent and Treat Mold
Mold can start growing in 24 to 48 hours after water exposure, so you have to act fast.
How to prevent it:
- Dry everything as quickly as possible.
- Use mold-killing cleaning products on surfaces.
- Keep using dehumidifiers and fans for a few days.
Repair and Restore Your Home
Once the area is clean and dry, you can start slowly putting things back together.
This might include:
- Replacing drywall or insulation
- Installing new flooring
- Painting walls
- Fixing baseboards or cabinetry
- Bringing back furniture and decor, or buying new furniture if it’s too damaged
You don’t have to do it all at once. Prioritize what you need most (like a dry, safe living space) and just work your way up, one step at a time.
Wrapping It Up
Restoring your home after water damage can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and emotional. And we know it’s hard, but try to stay calm and act as soon as you can. Focus on your safety first and dry things out. Then you can move toward cleanup, repairs, and restoration.
And remember, you don’t have to do all of this at once. Once your home is safe and clean (and dried out), take your time repairing it. You’ve got this!