How To Restore Water Damage in 4 Steps

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the equipment and experience to extract water from your home or business, leaving your property dry.

How To Repair Water Damage In 4 Easy Steps

Water damage to your Olympia, WA, home is a major hassle. Fortunately, swift action can prevent further problems. The following steps outline the water cleanup process.

1. Assess the Damage

The first thing you need to do after a flood is survey the damage. Identify and repair the source of the water. Fix broken pipes, patch leaks and take other necessary action to prevent further inundation. Determine whether the water source is clean or contaminated and if there are any electrical hazards. Some homeowners may feel comfortable completing the restoration process themselves, but others may choose to hire a certified restoration service.

2. Dry the Area

Keep in mind that water damage can lead to mold growth within 24 hours, so it is important to dry the area as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Use pumps, wet/dry vacuums, fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the water. If the humidity outside is low, open windows and doors to increase airflow.

3. Clean Affected Items

Depending on the source of the water and how long it has been stagnant, you may have to sanitize items that came into contact with it. Even clean water, such as from a water heater leak, can foster microbial growth and should be treated as contaminated after 24 hours.

4. Repair and Replace Damaged Items

After everything is clean and dry, you can begin the restoration process. Remember that some things, such as fiberglass insulation, affected by contaminated water cannot be completely cleaned and need to be replaced. Even if you can do some of the restoration yourself, professional assistance is often needed to restore delicate items like electronics, antiques and photographs.

Hopefully your home will never incur water damage. If it does, dry the property out, clean it thoroughly, and make any necessary repairs. Acting quickly helps prevent further damage and allows you to restore your home to its preloss condition.