Water is essential for human life, but it can cause damage to your home. Problems caused by water can give hospital owners a headache both after the incident and in the long run. From floods to leaky faucets, water problems in the home are really annoying and can cause major health and safety problems. Follow the guidelines below to stop, fix, and prevent water problems in your home.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Post-flood Repair
Step 1. Turn off the water flow
If the flooding is caused by a leaky pipe or water heater malfunction, turn off the main water line in your home.
Call an expert in water issues immediately if you don't know where the water is coming from
Step 2. Turn off the power
If your house is flooded, turn off electricity and gas from the main source. This step is not necessary for small leaks or puddles, but major floods require you to turn off electricity and gas for safety and security.
- Do not handle any electrical equipment unless you have protected yourself with an insulating material.
- If you are forced to stand in the water to turn off the mains, consult an electrician first.
Step 3. Assess the damage
Before you start cleaning, first consider whether rebuilding is a viable option. Take enough photos and documents to show the insurance company.
Step 4. Safeguard your most valuable possessions
If possible, find and keep your important items away from flooded areas, such as heritage items, money, jewelry, etc. Don't spend too much time picking up and cleaning personal items, as damaging water may still be in your home.
Step 5. Clean the puddle
The longer the water remains, the more damage it does. As soon as things are safe, pump the stagnant water out. If you are facing natural flooding, wait for the water to recede under your house before starting to pump.
- Use proper safety equipment. When working in flooded areas, be sure to wear rubber boots, gloves, and a mask or respirator.
- Keep children and pets away from puddles of flood water because often the puddles are contaminated.
- Position the water pump at the lowest point of the flooded floor. If the water is deep enough, you may need to lower the pump position using a nylon rope.
- If the puddle is not too big, you can use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner. This kind of vacuum cleaner can only hold 15.1 - 18.9 L of water, so you will have to empty it often.
Step 6. Clean up the debris
Be careful, there may be nails or other objects left over from the flood water.
- The mud left behind after a flood often contains large amounts of toxins. Use a shovel to remove as much mud as possible, and spray your walls with clean water. Be sure to check for mud in the drains as it can be dangerous when it dries.
- Snakes and mice may live in your home after a flood.
Step 7. Dry power tools with fresh air
Do not use the appliance or power plug for a long time until it is completely dry. Check each manufacturer's manual to confirm the recommended course of action.
Method 2 of 4: Cleaning Mold and Moss
Step 1. Check for fungus
There is visible mildew, but some can also grow in the air ducts, creeping into empty spaces, rafters, and walls. If you don't see mold but you smell a musty or musty smell, there's almost certainly an invisible mold growth.
Step 2. Take quick action after discovering water damage issues
Mold and mildew will begin to grow within 24-48 hours of exposure to moisture. Then, the mold and mildew will continue to grow until it is completely dehydrated and the fungus is destroyed.
Step 3. Turn off the power
If any wires are wet or moldy, turn off the power before cleaning. Ask an electrician to check the wiring before turning on the power again.
Step 4. Dry the moldy area
You should dry any moldy or wet areas as quickly as possible to prevent mold from spreading. The longer you leave an area wet, the more likely it is that mold will grow.
- Open the windows if the air outside is more humid than inside.
- Only use a fan to reduce the humidity if mold hasn't started growing yet. Fans can spread mold spores to other areas.
- Keep all wet items out of the area, including furniture, carpets, toys, etc.
- Remove all moldy carpet layers. It's almost impossible to remove mildew from carpet fibers. All other items can be cleaned and cleaned separately.
- Throw away all contaminated food products. This means all unsealed food in watertight containers.
Step 5. Clean damp walls and ceilings
If your walls are damaged by flooding, you should remove all wet materials, including insulation, wood products, and anything porous.
- Drywall is very porous and should be replaced as soon as there are signs of water damage.
- Keep the board wall up to 30 cm above the watermark.
- You can dry the walls by removing the baseboard and drilling holes into the floor.
- Make sure you check the interior walls to see if there is any hidden mold growing.
Step 6. Estimate the growth of the fungus
If you are facing massive mold growth, consider using a professional cleaner. Mold is very dangerous when cleaned, because disturbed mold will release spores into the air.
- Make sure the area you are cleaning is well ventilated.
- Make sure you always wear gloves, a mask or respirator, and eye protection.
Step 7. Clean the hard surface
Materials such as metal, solid wood, plastic, and glass should be pre-cleaned with non-ammonia soap and hot water. Use a hard brush on a rough surface such as concrete.
- Use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to clean standing water.
- Do a germ-cleaning after cleaning it first with a 10% bleach solution. Let the liquid sit on the surface for at least 10 minutes before washing it off with clean water or drying it.
Step 8. Get Rid of Mold and Moss
Upholstered furniture, clothes, bed linen, carpets, books, and more are objects that absorb water. If you can't decide whether to keep the contaminated item, it's better to choose to be careful about throwing it away.
Clean these materials and do a germ-cleansing with a cleanser from pine oil. Let the ingredients dry completely. Monitor a few days later after cleaning for mold growth or an unpleasant odor. If the fungus comes back, just throw it away
Step 9. Stop cleaning if you start experiencing symptoms of mold exposure
Once you feel any adverse effects, stop whatever you are doing and consult a professional cleaning service. The signs include:
- Difficulty breathing, including wheezing
- Nasal congestion
- dry cough
- Eye irritation, red eyes
- Nosebleed
- Reddish or itchy skin
- Headache, memory loss
Method 3 of 4: Prevention of Future Problems
Step 1. Repair your home with waterproof materials
Replace materials in flood-prone areas of your home with stone, tile, sealed concrete, waterproof plank walls
- Use galvanized or steel nails or bolts.
- Use indoor/outdoor floor coverings in basements.
- Use remote controllable water plugs so you have more control over your mains water supply.
- Use waterproof glue.
Step 2. Check each door and window to make sure that the cover is watertight
Look for any discoloration in the paint and putty. Also check if there are bubbles in the door and window frames.
- Replace any loose shingles, and pay extra attention to areas around chimneys and vents.
- Water in the foundation of the house can cause serious damage to the structure of your home.
Step 3. Fix the problematic water line
Leaky pipes, clogged drains, and a malfunctioning drainage system must be repaired or replaced.
Check the washing machine and cutlery cleaning machine hoses to make sure there are no cracks
Step 4. Prevent water seepage
Make sure that the drainage pipes and gutters are completely draining water from the house, and that all connections are in place.
- If your gutter starts to overflow after 15 minutes of heavy rain, install additional vertical gutters to help with the flow.
- Make sure the slope of the soil around the house can keep water away from the foundation of the house and basement.
Step 5. Place your electronics even higher
If your basement is prone to flooding, place electronics on an object that makes it higher up so it's safe from minor flooding.
Place anything higher up that could be damaged by water: washer, dryer, stove, water heater, cables, and any personal items
Method 4 of 4: Making a Claim
Step 1. The sooner you contact him, the faster your claim will be processed
Your coverage depends on the insurance coverage, and your insurance agent will be able to start the process.
Step 2. Make a list
Write down all of your damaged properties before starting the cleaning process. Include photo and video evidence if possible.
- Notify your claims assessor when you dispose of items that are hazardous to health, such as contaminated food. You can still claim it so they should know about it.
- Ask about sample storage. Sometimes you have to save samples of damaged items such as pieces of carpet to make a claim.
Step 3. Make sure you keep all the receipts
During the cleaning process, keep receipts for all items you buy and services you use. It even includes the motel bill for as long as you can't stay home.
