Is cleaning up after a flood doable for the do-it-yourselfer? Depends on the water source and the volume. Clean water leaking directly from supply pipes or common indoor fixtures and appliances is classified as Category 1. Common examples include ruptured hoses connected to the rear of a washing machine, a leaking water heater tank or water from other supply lines such as a dishwasher or a refrigerator ice maker.
The deciding factor in cleaning up after a flood yourself is how quickly you detect leakage and shut off the source of water. If you act fast and Category 1 water is limited to the floor of a single room, cleanup is feasible. However, if water has spread into additional rooms, saturated drywall or migrated down through ceilings into lower levels of the house—or if more than 8 hours elapsed before the leakage was discovered—seek professional water damage recovery services. In these cases, advanced drying techniques and preventive measures to inhibit toxic mold growth are required.
Here’s how to handle cleanup of smaller Category 1 cases yourself:
- If necessary to stop leakage, turn off water to the house at the main shutoff valve.
- Make sure a wet room is safe by shutting off electricity to the room at the circuit breaker panel.
- Get any saturated throw rugs, cushions or other absorbent materials out of the house.
- Water pooled on hard flooring can be mopped up or soaked up with towels. If the room opens to the outdoors, you may use a floor squeegee or wide broom to push pooled water out an exterior door.
- If installed carpet is wet and you have a wet/dry vacuum (or opt to rent one) extract as much water as possible and allow the carpet to air dry with adequate ventilation.
- High indoor humidity after flooding spreads and causes secondary damage. Ventilate the house by opening windows and running fans. If temperatures permit, running the central A/C also helps lower indoor humidity.
For professional advice and service cleaning up after a flood, contact the water damage experts at Rytech, Inc.
The post Cleaning Up After A Flood Doesn’t Have To Be Overwhelming appeared first on Rytech Inc.