Water damage in a home can be quite extensive and can lead to other problems when it’s not cleaned up properly. If you’ve experienced water damage in Overland Park, KS, it’s essential that you use the right methods to clean it up. Missing important steps or using subpar cleaning methods can lead to additional issues down the road. Keep reading to learn the best practices for cleaning up water damage.
Stop the Water First
Whenever possible, the first step you should take to deal with water damage is to find and stop the water source. Of course, there are times when this is not possible at all, such as in the case of a natural disaster. But if a burst or leaky pipe causes your water damage, it’s important that you shut off the water to that pipe right away to minimize any additional damage. The fastest and most straightforward way to do this is usually to use your emergency shutoff valve and shut off water to the entire home.
Remove Standing Water
Once the water is off, and you’ve ensured the area is still safe for you to enter, the first step in the cleanup process is to remove all standing water. You want to do this as quickly as possible so that water does not continue to seep into absorbent materials like drywall, carpeting, and wood flooring. The best method to remove standing water quickly is with a wet vac. You want something powerful with a large enough tank to hold the water you’re trying to remove; you don’t want to waste time repeatedly removing and emptying the water bin. It’s best to have more than one wet vac operating at a time to remove the standing water more quickly.
Start the Drying Process
As soon as the standing water is removed, you need to start the drying process. You’ll want powerful fans and blowers for this and possibly a dehumidifier. Set up your blowers and fans so that all wet spaces are receiving airflow, and leave them blowing at all times for at least several days. If possible, open up all the windows to the water-damaged space to support additional airflow.
Lift Carpets and Other Floor Coverings
If your water-damaged space has carpets, rugs, or other floor coverings, you should elevate them to allow for sufficient airflow underneath them. This should be done while those fans, blowers, and dehumidifiers are still going. For carpets, you will also likely need to lift up the padding; this material is a common place where moisture gets left behind, and mold can begin to grow. You want to ensure that all parts of your flooring are completely dried before putting any of these floor coverings back down.
Use a Moisture Detector
Oftentimes, a space can appear dry when there is still hidden moisture in areas. Invest in a moisture detector to search for underlying water problems all around the impacted areas. For example, your drywall might have absorbed water, but the swelling and damage are still hidden behind the baseboard. A moisture detector can help you find these areas to ensure the material is thoroughly dried or replaced with new materials. You should never assume your home is dry before a moisture detector indicates that humidity levels in the space are back to normal.
Rely on a Professional
The truth is that most homeowners don’t have access to the tools, equipment, and manpower needed to adhere to best practices for water damage cleanup. That’s why we strongly recommend you work with water damage contractors in Overland Park, KS, to get your home cleaned up properly. We’ll bring a team of experienced professionals and high-powered equipment so we can ensure new moisture gets left behind.