After Flood Damage Restoration
The first step after flooding is to clean up any damaged items. This may require hiring professional assistance. Certain materials are potentially hazardous, such as drywall or insulation, and you may have to dispose of them to protect your health. To make things easier, there are some companies that offer junk removal and debris removal services. Others specialize in complete demolition and rebuilding.
Restorative cleaning
Restorative cleaning is a necessary part of the flood damage restoration process. It is done to ensure that the premises are clean and safe after the flood. Restorative cleaning involves cleaning up contaminated water and other debris. The water may contain toxic agents and pathogenic materials. For this reason, it is imperative to have the property cleaned up by trained professionals.
Flood waters often carry a lot of mud and other harmful materials that aren’t meant for human contact. These substances can easily seep into the homes of flood victims. Using protective gear can help prevent exposure to these chemicals.
Restorative drying
Restorative drying is a necessary procedure after a flood or water damage. It can save a homeowner the trouble and cost of replacing damaged property. The process typically takes about three days. However, if you’re unsure of how to proceed, you can contact a professional water damage restoration company for guidance.
The process of drying begins with identifying the extent of water damage and removing excess moisture and humidity from the affected area. Four principles are used to achieve this: extraction, evaporation, temperature control, and dehumidification. The next step in the process is to clean the area thoroughly. This includes scrubbing and vacuuming surfaces.
Foundation repairs
If your home has recently experienced flood damage, you will want to hire a professional to perform foundation repairs. Regardless of whether you’re looking to sell your property or just make a few cosmetic changes, repairing your home’s foundation is essential for safety reasons. Even minor flooding can ruin the foundation of your home. Make sure to check all floors and walls for cracks and sloping to see if the water has damaged the structure of your home. If you see any signs of damage, evacuate the building and call a foundation contractor to evaluate the damage.
If the flood waters were high, they may have damaged the foundation wall of your home. In this case, you’ll need to have the foundation wall repaired quickly to prevent further damage. Also, check your foundation wall for damage to metal fasteners and 2x4s. These materials are especially susceptible to water damage, which weakens the foundational metal structures. Some other signs of structural damage are windows and doors that don’t open or close like they did before. The frame of the door may have been shifted and weakened by the flood water.
Abatement of pathogens
Abatement of pathogens after flood disaster restoration involves using chemicals and techniques to reduce the concentration of potentially harmful materials. These techniques are often used in water damage restoration and include the removal of sewage and wastewater. The process is also called anti-microbial or anti-fungal treatment.
Recovering salvaged items
The process of recovering salvaged items after flood damage restoration involves identifying which items are salvageable. If possible, move these items to a dry place. If these items are too wet to be moved, store them in a dry place under cover outdoors. Afterward, clean and dry them. This process typically takes between 24 and 48 hours.
The most delicate items to salvage after a flood are books and wet papers. The paper on these materials becomes brittle once it is wet. Books are also vulnerable to damage from swelling and mold. For this reason, preparing ahead of time is essential.