5 Key Steps For Cleaning Up Water Damages

3 February 2022
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Even a small flood from a busted pipe or overflowing dishwasher can result in a huge mess. In some cases, the mess is large enough that you need help cleaning it up thanks to the damage caused. Know the basic order of tasks necessary to successfully clean up after a flood.

1. Clearing

One of the first steps is to clear out all items from the affected portion of the house. This means moving out furniture, tearing up rugs, and cutting out water logged drywall. The initial clearing is typically focused on personal belongings, furniture, rugs, and similar items. Some of these items will be disposed of, while others are separated out for restoration. Removal of drywall and other damaged materials sometimes occurs later in the process, depending on the material.

2. Extraction

The next and arguably most important step is water extraction. The quicker the excess water can be removed, the sooner your service can dry your home and prevent further damages from mold and mildew. Large machines simple known as water extractors are used to suck up both standing water and water that has saturated parts of the home, like the flooring.

3. Drying

Following extraction is a more thorough drying, a drying complete enough so that there should be no remaining moisture in the home. Industrial strength fans are often brought in to aid this process, as are dehumidifiers designed to pull any excess moisture out of the air. Only after everything is fully dry can the rest of the cleanup proceed.

4. Sanitation

The first pass through once the damage is dried is to sanitize surfaces so any mold, mildew, or bacterial pathogens introduced by the flood waters are destroyed. Special high strength sanitizers are used for outside flood waters, while a plain diluted bleach solution may be sufficient for small internal floods from clean water. All surfaces must be wiped down, inside and out, to ensure sanitation.

5. Cleaning

A final cleaning handles any odds and ends after sanitation. Water stains and old mildew discolorations will be scrubbed off or painted over. Items that could be saved, like upholstered furniture, should now also be dried sufficiently for a full shampooing and cleaning before the items are returned to your home. If your cleanup crew also completes repairs, it is during this stage that drywall will be replaced, new flooring put in, and new finishes or paints applied. 

Contact a water damage cleaning service if you need help recovering after a flood.