Whether it is from a leak in your pipes or a strong thunderstorm, flooding in a home is never a good thing. After figuring out the source of where the water is coming from and stopping the leak, or when the storm passes and you’ve essentially cleared your home of the flood, the next logical step is to dry your home out. Additionally, any items that were affected by floodwater should also be dried out.
There are quite a few ways to dry your home:
- Air drying
- Dehumidifier
- Water extraction
Depending on the severity of the flood, drying out a basement and floors will take some time. Flood service should be done by trusted professionals. This is mainly because they have the proper equipment, knowledge of the right techniques, and the know-how in general for the job to be done in the best possible manner. It will allow for as much of your drywall, floors, walls, and personal belongings to be saved.
Your home will be expertly inspected and assessed so that it can be dried in the most efficient manner. Don’t be fooled; they will not just place the special drying equipment, let things run, and go. They will monitor things to make sure the process is running smoothly and, by the end, give you a detailed report and answer any questions you may have.
It is important to be familiar with specific areas and items that should be dried:
Books, Documents, and Paperwork
Books, certificates, photos, and other important documents that were damaged in a flood should be tended to immediately. Professionals will be able to help through techniques such as document drying and restoration, freeze-drying, and more.
Drywall
If the floodwater was dirty, it is best to just replace the drywall entirely. Otherwise, drying them out and doing a dehumidification process is the best way to go. Depending on the severity of the damage, that will take anywhere from several hours to a number of days.
Flooring and Carpet
While water damage requires repair, that is not always the immediate case. If a carpeted area has been affected by water, there may still be a chance at saving it. For starters, you should find out if the substrate underneath the carpet has been disturbed. Depending on what the substrate type is, it could take quite some time for the moisture to be completely gone. The best results will be from the carpet and padding that was soaked for less than 48 hours. If those, along with the flooring, have been wet for over 48 hours, then it must be removed and a replacement is imminent.
If the water came from an unsanitary source, however, go straight to removal and keep your home safe from bacteria by replacing everything.
Conclusion
Surfaces that have been affected by floodwater should be cleaned, deodorized, and disinfected. This is to prevent bacterial infection, fungus, mold, and other viruses from thriving. Flooding is inconvenient, but it is not impossible to save your home.
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