How frightening, discouraging, and stressful it is to have water damage! During this last Friday when there was torrential rain, water started overflowing from the kitchen sink!! Within 10 minutes, there was dirty water throughout the back room and the training room, where a training for a private group was taking place! This article will detail what must be done very quickly during and after a water damage.
In my misfortune, I was very lucky: I was there in front of the famous sink when it happened, I was very well equipped, and I had people who were able to help me! We agree that in the majority of cases, this is not the common story of water damage. But the process is the same. So here are the steps to follow as quickly as possible. Here are the procedures in case of water damage
1. What is the source of the disaster?
First of all, close all water valves to reduce the extent of the damage.
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- Water may be coming from a sink whose faucet has not been turned off
- During heavy rain, the gutters fail and the water overflows
- Water infiltration through the roof
- Infiltration through the building's foundations
- A bath where you forgot the water was running... well yes, things like that happen!!! Etc.
Do not use electrical outlets in the room where the fire occurred.
It's well known that water and electricity don't mix well!
2. Save souvenirs, documents, accessories and other valuable or important objects or furniture
Take out what is most important to you and put it in another dry room. You may not be able to save everything, so go to the essentials first. Think about important documents Also.
3. If you have a wet-dry vacuum, VACUUM as quickly as possible
Otherwise, most cleaning companies will be able to help you with this level, as they are generally equipped with this type of equipment. Be careful, don't use just any vacuum cleaner, it must be manufactured for liquid suction. Remember to vacuum under furniture, baseboards, wardrobes, and check other rooms as well. When you're done vacuuming, remove heavy furniture. There will likely be water underneath. Remove water from fabrics, of course.
Here are some examples of suction equipment:
4. Dry as quickly as possible
You'll now be at the cleaning and disinfecting stage. So, after removing all the water and furniture, install fans to dry the water as quickly as possible. If possible, install them in each room where the water has seeped in. If you have dehumidifiers, it's a good idea to install them as well to remove as much moisture as possible.
If you don't have one, tool rental companies can rent it to you very cheaply. Consider Loutec, SimplexOtherwise, buying a fan is very inexpensive. Choose dryers that allow you to easily direct the air. There's no need to spend a lot of money. The ones in the image on the left are more than enough.
5. Clean and disinfect
This step is just as important as the other steps in preventingappearance of mold, very harmful to healthMold is a type of fungus that is initially invisible to the naked eye. As it multiplies, you will see black spots appear on walls and other surfaces. Mold thrives in conditions of dampness or excess water.
You'll need a disinfectant product labeled bactericidal and anti-mold. All household cleaning product distributors carry this type of product.
Choose a bactericidal, anti-mold disinfectant product
I have no preference in these products. The important thing is that the product is bactericidal and acts on mold. Ask a household cleaning products representative for help; they will be able to direct you. Be careful, if you have not been able to dry quickly enough, it may be necessary to cut into the walls to prevent mold from forming. You will find several of these disinfectants in our shop.
Please note, it is very important to follow the recommended dosage. Here is a article to learn how to properly dilute household cleaning products
6. Call your insurer
Your insurer will be able to tell you whether this is recommended or not after an insurance representative has visited the premises. Indeed, in the event of significant water damage, you will need to contact your insurer as soon as possible so they can come and inspect the damage and assess the repair costs, if necessary. Don't wait to call them; do so on the same day as the damage, if possible, or the next day.
Take pictures of the damage.
This doesn't stop you from doing everything you can to save as much damage as possible. Personally, I was very lucky; there were no serious consequences to my disaster. But that's not the case with a major disaster. Be vigilant; if you can, equip yourself with a wet-dry vacuum; it can be useful for many other tasks! And have a container of bactericidal disinfectant on site. And make sure all building occupants know where to turn off the water valves.
Finally, we hope that your disaster will cause the least damage to your building.
