How To Clean Up Water Damage

Did your Cedar Rapids home experience a water damage situation and you need help with the cleanup?

If you’ve just experienced a water event, you might be wondering what to do next. Seeping water damage is progressive, pervasive and can mean valuable objects may become permanently damaged – especially if the water damage cleanup process doesn’t start within the first 48 hours of the disaster. When water comes into contact with items of value there are immediate steps that can be taken to reduce the amount of long-term damage that may occur.

Steps to Take as Soon as You Discover The Water Disaster 

The first thing you need to do when you discover a water damage disaster is to take a deep breath and calm your nerves. You are not alone, in Cedar Rapids alone there are hundreds of homeowners who have suffered through a water damage disaster and there is local water damage cleanup professionals, like Challis Restoration, who can help you during this stressful time.

After you have taken that deep breath, call your preferred water damage restoration company and let them know what you have found. Any water damage restoration company worth their salt will be available 24 hours a day and will respond immediately to help prevent additional water damage and any mold growth. Most restoration companies will also work with your insurance company so you don’t have the added financial stress to deal with.

Once the professionals are on their way, if the source of the water damage looks like it is internal, find and shut off the main water line to your home. There is no sense in letting the water continuously run into your home if you can stop it. Your next step would be to turn off the power to the affected areas in your home before attempting to enter the area or unplug any electronic devices. The last thing you want to do is experience electric shock from an outlet that came in contact with water.

If the area that has suffered from water damage has carpet and furniture is present insert aluminum foil under the legs or feet of the furniture to prevent any staining.

Safety first! If you are unsure if it is safe to enter the parts of your home that have been affected by water damage consult a water damage cleanup professional before entering the area. If you do attempt to remove any items from the damaged area, or entering an area with standing water, make sure you are properly dressed in protective gear to prevent any health risks. Depending on what caused the water to flood your home, there could be bacteria and other toxins in the water.

Avoid Doing The Following During A Water Damage Event:

• Refrain from using your home vacuum – electrical shock can result, as well as damage to the equipment
• Some homeowners have been known to place newspaper in traffic areas to walk on. Avoid doing this as the ink from the newspaper can transfer to the flooring below causing permanent staining.
• Walking on carpet any more than necessary – this keeps damage from spreading to unaffected areas.

Keep in mind that when dealing with any water damage situation time is a critical factor. It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to start to grow when there is excess moisture in your home. Calling in a water damage cleanup professional is the fastest, safest, and easiest way to get your property cleaned up and repair efficiently. Have any questions or concerns? Contact our water damage experts at Challis Restoration day or night!