Flood Damage Repair – Taking Back Your Home

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Pam

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com

When you have a flooded home the question looming on your mind is, “What do I do first?”. Of course the first thing is to open windows and get the air circulating. Germs and mold grow best in damp, moist areas. A house that has been flooded is a prime location for mold, bacteria and mosquitoes to breed. Open all the windows and doors and get some fans blowing to help it dry.

The most important thing is to get the water out and get fresh air in. Mold spores and bacteria can get in your lungs and cause respiratory problems as well as other health related problems. Also, be sure to keep children and pets out of the home until it has been cleaned up and properly dried.

Document everything with photos or video for your insurance company. Depending on the cause of the flood and the coverage of your policy, you may be eligible for partial or full compensation.

The effects of water damage on a home:

Water damage can take a toil on your home, especially if not dealt with quickly. Wet wooden beams can swell and buckle causing structural rot. Wet carpeting, walls, furniture and appliances will need attention right away. Any delays in cleaning up will result in further damage. Steps need to be taken immediately to minimize and contain the damage so it doesn’t spread to other areas of the house. Water travels easily and will seep into other areas possibly causing further damage to your home.

Get rid of any standing water right away, if you can. The sooner you begin the drying process the better. If possible, pump the water out or use a bucket if that’s all you have access to.

Remove any of your belongings that are not affected to another area of the home to avoid being damaged. Picture albums or keepsakes should be put in a safe place. Place them inside of a plastic bag to keep moisture in the air from damaging them. Anything that can be washed will be fine.

What can you do to fix a home that has been flooded? Call a restoration company as soon as possible. They usually have an emergency service line for quick response. A quick response time will lessen the chance of losing your furnishings and having to replace everything.

Their equipment and expertise can speed up the drying time for walls and floors, deter mold and bacteria growth from the environment and keep the rest of your home from being affected by the damaged areas. In some cases, they may be able to restore your home to it’s original condition.

Restoration crews are well-trained and certified in dealing with cleanups from fire, smoke and flood damage. This is your best chance of recovering your home and belongings without costing you thousands of dollars in repairs and reconstruction.

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Flood Damage Home Repairs

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Pam

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com

If you have been unfortunate enough to have experienced a flood in your area that has caused water damage to your home, here are some steps to follow for flood damage repairs.

The first thing you want to do when you have water damage to your home from a recent flood is access the situation. Get an idea of how much damage has been done to your home. Also, determine if you are going to need to rip out and restore parts or if it can be refurbished.

Once you understand how much damage has been done to your home you can look into the materials required for repairs. Most water damage to homes will require you to spray the exposed area with a mold repellent and may even require you to replace the wood. When your home is being constantly exposed to water you can develop moisture build up. This means if you own a home with wood parts in areas, those areas can become a breeding ground for a mold infestation. The way to avoid this possible mold growth is removing unsalvageable materials, beginning the drying process and applying an anti-microbial spray.

After you have taken care of the wood damaged parts of your home you can begin removing or restoring any water damaged goods, such as couches and furniture. There are several companies that specialize in furniture restoration after water damage has taken effect, so do a little research into what those companies can do for you.

Once you have repaired your walls and taken care of any damaged furniture you should inpsect any other damaged parts of the house and see what kind of care they require. Even though the majority of these tasks and home repairs can be done by an average handyman, there are specific companies that specialize in water damaged home repair that can treat your home for the common water damage problems. Keep in mind that it is vital to get the restoration process underway as quickly as possible in order to avoid any potential problems or issues that could develop in the future.

So overall if you are looking into repairs for your flood damaged homes take a visit to your local hardware store or hire a professional to get your house back to its original working order.

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com

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The Importance of Structural Drying

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Pam

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com

Violent storms with high winds can wreak havoc on a home in a matter of hours or even minutes, especially when structural damage is accompanied by heavy rainfall or flooding. After suffering water intrusion it is important to secure your property as soon as possible to prevent additional damage from occurring. Ideally water damage should be addressed within 24 to 48 hours. And depending on the size of the area affected professional assistance may be needed to dry an area quickly and thoroughly.

In the immediate aftermath of water intrusion non-valuable books or papers should be discarded. In the case of important papers or documents it’s best to photocopy and discard originals or freeze dry them in a frost free freezer or meat locker.

Wet carpet and backing, concrete or cinder block surfaces and porous flooring such as linoleum or vinyl should all be vacuumed within 24-48 hours with a water extraction vacuum. To accelerate the drying process, humidity levels should be reduced with a dehumidifier and fans. Although it may be difficult to completely dry within 48 hours the same procedure should be followed with upholstered furniture.

These are some of the important first steps you should take if you have suffered water intrusion damage. Over the past few decades there have been many advances in the water damage restoration industry that have moved beyond the simple task of extraction. This is why you should consult professionals in the field who deal with the bigger issues of bound structural moisture, residual odor, remedial mold contamination and removal of microscopic debris from the air. The end goal should be a verifiable pre-loss condition.

Before the next storm hits there are many things you can do to prevent water damage before it happens. Have a professional contractor examine the stability of your foundation. This is particularly true if you live in an older home. Is the foundation level? Are there any obvious cracks in the foundation that extend into the upper structure? If this is the case it is important to check interior walls, inspect tile for cracks and sheetrock for tears.

Structures with a pitched roof are less of a problem but a flat roof has a tendency to sustain damage from rotting due to undetected leaks. In this case a careful attic inspection of your roof’s underside is in order to determine if there has been previous water damage that might lead to something worse.

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Using Ventilation to Prevent Mold

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Pam

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com

Regular cleaning and proper ventilation of your home or other building can help prevent mold growth from developing, even if you have had mold issues in the past. This can also deter mold from growing on your walls, floors, furniture and clothing. Mold, like mildew, is a fungus and is alive. The spores attach themselves to items, such as the aforementioned, and eventually cause damage . If you live in an area with a warm climate and/or high humidity, such as near a lake, pool or other body of water, you will most likely suffer the visit of mold. In some areas the mold will live within a wall and other than the musty smell it leaves behind you are not aware that you have mold. You need to call a mold removal expert in such a case and walls may have to come down in some instances.

Due to the fact that mold is alive it can be dangerous living with it, simply because you are breathing in the live spores as they become airbourn and try to relocate from their present positions. Breathing in the spores can cause lung problems as well as other breathing complications like asthma. If you are trying to remove the mold yourself, be sure your mouth and nose are covered and that windows and doors to the room are closed. But also ensure the room is well ventilated.

So, how do you keep the mold from infiltrating your home or building? Use cleaning and ventilating your home or building to prevent mold as a ongoing process. Keep vulnerable areas dry by using fans or dehumidifiers. Additionally, keep the areas well ventilated also using fans, open windows or any electrical device that will keep the areas well ventilated. The bathroom can be the most difficult area to keep dry. It is a good idea to wipe down the moisture accumulated on the bathroom walls after a shower or bath. The same applies to the laundry room. Remember mold can accumulate within the walls as well as on the walls.

I can not stress enough the importance of keeping your rooms clean and ventilated to prevent mold from living and growing on your walls, floors, furniture or clothing, as well as within your walls. Nor can I stress enough the danger to you and/or your family’s health by having mold live in your home or building. If you are buying a home or building in a humid area have an expert check the walls and floors for any signs of mold growth or mildew.

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Drying Building Materials After a Flood

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Pam

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com

If a building has been subjected to large amounts of water, either as the result of rain or a flood, it is imperative to take the necessary steps to remove the water and dry the structure as soon as possible. Additionally, you also need to make arrangements for repairs and restoration.

Health and safety issues should be addressed first.  Ensure you and your family are safe, as well as anyone else in your home. Be sure the power to your home is turned off and check for gas leakage. If leakage is discovered, shut down the gas supply. Some flood waters may contain animal waste or sewage which can be potentially hazardous. It is therefore important to protect your hands, mouth and eyes during the clean up process using personal protective gear and disinfectants to wash hands, especially before eating. Professional help should be sought in cases where the home is too dangerous to enter.

Start by drying out the attic. If the insulation is wet remove it immediately. Remove soaked items including furniture, boxes, etc. and open the windows and air vents. This will increase the circulation of air flow and allow the restoration process to be more effective.

All ceilings should be inspected very carefully. Sheetrock and plaster can be very dangerous when wet. Remove all carpets that have been affected as well as linoleum and/or vinyl. Thoroughly wash the wood work in the house such as mantels, doors and stairs with disinfectant. Wash down floorboards that are covered in mud. If possible use weight or shoring during the drying and restoration process in order to minimize buckling of the floor boards. Keep in mind that the restoration process may take a significant amount of time.

In cases where the basement is flooded, drain the water surrounding the basement first. Then drain the water by two or three feet. Make a note of the water line and leave overnight while also making regular checks. If the water level rises, then wait until it is stable or decreases before pumping another two to three feet.

Furnishings that have been affected should be cleaned and treated as soon as possible before the drying and restoration process begins. This will also decrease the chances of long lasting damage.

Sufficient air circulation is fundamental to drying out the building effectively and efficiently. Do not use heaters or air-conditioners to speed up the process as this could cause further damage.

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Extracting Water From Carpets

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Pam

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com

Extracting water from carpets sounds like a relatively simple process. Merely sop up any standing water with towels and place a fan in front of the wet spot until it dries. Sounds easy enough but what happens if your water heater gives way and you are suddenly faced with fifty or more gallons of water in your house or if you have been a victim of a flood? Then it becomes a little more involved. Would you be able to dry out your carpet in time to prevent the formation of mold or mildew? What health hazards does a carpet that has not been properly dried present to a homeowner?

So, how do you extract water from a carpet? It’s still a pretty simple and straightforward process, only instead of a pile of towels  you will need to use a carpet water extractor.

You can choose to rent one from one of many sources, buy one or call a professional carpet water extraction service. Each of these methods will use similar techniques but keep in mind for large jobs, especially if you have been a victim of flash flooding, it would be advisable to call a professional service to properly dry and sanitize your carpets.

A carpet water extractor is merely a wet dry vacuum with a wand attached for maximum concentration of suction into small areas of carpet. The head of the wand is placed directly onto the wet surface and the water is pulled out of the carpet and then deposited into the machine. The operator moves the wand across the affected areas of the carpet making sure to use slow, methodical movements in order to assure a thorough job. The extraction job is not complete until water has stopped being drawn into the machine. At this point it may be desirable to place a fan or two around the affected area to speed drying of the carpet fibers, especially if the carpet has been wet for quite some time.

If the carpet has been wet for an extended period of time, thoroughly soaked with many gallons of water or exposed to flood waters, call a professional water damage company. Carpets are a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and mold, which can present health hazards to the homeowners. Professional carpet extraction services can not only remove the water from the carpet but can also treat the affected areas to inhibit mold and bacteria growth. This could end up saving you from thousands of dollars in medical bills and carpet replacement.

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Cleaning a Flooded Basement

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Pam

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com

If your home has a basement and you have recently experienced a flood or heavy rains for an extended period of time; and now you find yourself stuck with a flooded basement, then you are well aware there’s things to do and a job to be done.

The first thing you need to do when cleaning up a flooded basement is access the situation. Look to see how much water has accumulated in the basement and locate the waters point of entry. If possible, during a rainstorm go into the basement and look for areas the water is getting in through. Also, check for holes and punctures in the walls and windows.

Once you see how much water is in the basement and you have marked the areas water is coming in, wait until it is no longer raining and begin pumping the water out. There are several companies that will charge you a couple hundred to a thousand dollars to pump out any flooded water from your basement. The price of the job depends on the amount of water needed to be pumped. If there is only a small amount of water and you don’t have the cash to pay a professional you can either rent a water pump and do it yourself or you can take it out bucket by bucket. Be sure to finish off with towels or rags to dry the entire area.

After all the water has been pumped out you are going to need to patch up the places where the water is coming in. There are several waterproofing concoctions that you can apply to form an air tight seal and keep the water out. If the water is coming in from an upper window you may have to look into replacing that with a new waterproof window or boarding it up.

With all of the water out of the basement and the areas the water was intruding repaired  be sure to test it by spraying a water hose or dumping buckets of water around the area. If there is any water still leaking in re-apply the waterproof sealing paste and try again. With everything good to go in terms of waterproofing you can look into cleaning up any water damaged items you store in the basement. Make sure to remove everything that has been exposed to water damage so you don’t develop a mold problem.

Flooded basements are a pain to clean up but with enough cash or enough will power you can have the job done in a matter of a few days.

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Water Extraction After a Water Damage

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Pam

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com

Obviously it’s no fun when your home or business experiences a water damage. Water damage can come from leaky pipes, roofing problems or worse, natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and other severe storms. The financial loss from water damage can be costly and there is no doubt that it can take a toll on your home. First of all, electronics are typically ruined after only a slight bit of water so these are some of the first things to go. Not only can your big screen TV be affected in the flood, all paper products are likely to be ruined. You’d be surprised how much of your house and how many items in your home are made from some form of paper product. Unfortunately, many of your books will be ruined by the water damage, as well as any memorabilia you weren’t careful enough to put somewhere high and dry above potential water lines.

Water damage is virulent to a huge amount of your home furnishings. All of your nice furniture will probably need to be re-upholstered or thrown out and you can say goodbye to that nice leather couch you had. It’s ironic that cows are fine in the rain but leather isn’t, still, that’s the way that water damage can affect you. Carpets will be soaked and will need replacing, hardwood floors are likely to be ruined and tapestries and other wall hangings will soak up water even if only part of it is touching.

Even more seriously, water damage can take a toll on the structural integrity of the house. Beams can rot, two by fours can become insecure and floors may seep. But these are just some of the things that can happen – you can avoid this! When you see the first signs of water damage you should leap into action. Try to get rid of the water by any means necessary or if that is ineffective, make sure that you take some time to salvage your most important possessions. Water is a taker not a giver, in this circumstance. Move quickly to save your things, especially the things that are irreplaceable or costly to replace.

Finally, never be afraid to call water damage specialists. Water damage specialists can get your home back in order when it looks like nothing will ever be organized again. Don’t lose hope! Water damage is something that can be beaten by the right people in the right place.

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Restoring Lives and Peace of Mind.

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DIY Water Damage Repair: Not The Best Idea

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Pam

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com

Home ownership is a difficult thing to manage. Not only are the costs of owning a home high but it is also difficult to maintain a home, even more so in the face of harsh conditions of nature. Floods, ice storms, thunder storms or even a pipe freezing can cause what is referred to as water damage. Water damage can be a number of things. Water damage could be rusting, the weakening of wood, the deteriorating of pipes or fixtures or it could be something as simple as mold. All of these things qualify as water damage. Water damage is costly to fix, which makes many homeowners already trying to pay off a mortgage, car payments, insurance, taxes, miscellaneous purchases, utilities and food, feel a little more overwhelmed.  Adding a charge for a repairman’s visit can be even more daunting on a consumer trying to fix this very harmful water damage problem. As a result, these homeowners usually end up trying to fix the appliances themselves. It seems easy enough and certainly cheaper than the very high prices of repairmen. However, what seems easy is often much more difficult.

Handling water damage is often more difficult to repair than most people believe. In some cases it may require taking out an entire wall to replace a whole network of malfunctioning pipes. What some homeowners do is replace the pipe that is currently defective and then seal it up and forget about it. But three months down the line another nest of mold appears and creates that nasty, musty smell all down the bathroom wall. Realizing their mistake homeowners usually resolve to try and fix it again. They open up the wall, and lo and behold, it is the very next stretch of pipe in the network that is defective. The owner then fixes the defect and seals it up. And three months later, the water damage is worse off and the homeowner is right back where he started. This speaks to the fact that trying to do it yourself in repairing water damage is usually a bad idea.

In situations like this it is best to call in a professional because trying to do it yourself can end up sustaining permanent damage that may end up being unfixable due to water. So when noticing water damage try not to waste time. Contact a certified professional that knows exactly how to fix it or it might end up being even more costly.

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Cleaning Carpet After Water Damage

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Pam

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com

It’s happened to the best of us; flooding or a burst pipe causing water to come in to our home creating water damage all over that wonderful cream-colored piling. But all is not lost. Just take a deep breath and look at how to clean up after the (water) damage has been done.

1) Determine what kind of water caused the damage – If the water is from a toilet or sewage line then  you’ve been tainted by “black water.” If this happens you should IMMEDIATELY DISCARD your carpet. It will be an expensive process but there are too many bacteria lurking in that type of water that would fester and create many more health problems down the road. However, if the water is from a main water line then you can consider yourself lucky. This can be repaired.

2) Disenfect and lift the water damaged section – Even though it may not be “black water” you don’t want to take any chances. Mix about 3 tablespoons of bleach into a gallon of water and get scrubbing on the water damaged areas (make sure you ventilate the room! A clean carpet isn’t worth brain damage). Then, using a box cutter or similar tool cut and lift the carpet. You can get rid of that damaged padding; it’s no good to us now. Be certain to keep the carpet area lifted to allow airflow and facilitate the drying process. Clean up the floor below the damaged carpet to prevent further problems using either a wet/dry vacuum or mop.

3) Let It Dry – This is the most important part. Direct as many fans as you can at the damaged areas, (most professionals recommend industrial fans set on high) open windows, get a dehumidifier, whatever it takes. The first 12 hours are the most important part of this process. This is the time frame in which mold can grow in your carpet, creating lots of nasty things you don’t want to be breathing. During this time try to keep any traffic out of the room. After 12 hours check your carpet. If it feels dry you can safely put the damaged portion back down on the ground. Make sure to keep a constant airflow over the carpet for another 24 hours to ensure all moisture has been removed. If your carpet is still not dry you may have to consult professional services to repair your water damaged carpet.

Taking quick action to clean up a damaged carpet can be hard work but it will better your chances to save it. Thus cutting down on costs and keeping you safer by eliminating the chances for harmful molds.

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Restoring Lives and Peace of Mind.

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