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Water is vital for human life, but it can also endanger your home. Water damage can lead to countless issues for homeowners, both immediately after the damage occurs and for an extended period after. Whether caused by flooding or leaks from pipes, water damage is truly a nightmare and can result in health and safety concerns. Follow these steps to prevent, repair, and protect your home from water damage.
Steps
What to Do After a Water Overflow Incident
Stop the water flow. If water is spilling due to a broken pipe or malfunctioning water heater, shut off the main water supply to your home.
- Contact a repair professional immediately if you cannot determine where the water is coming from.
Disconnect the power supply. If water floods into your home, you need to turn off the electricity and gas supply. This is not necessary for small leaks or puddles, but it is crucial when water has flooded the house.
- Do not handle electrical appliances unless you have proper insulation precautions.
- If you must stand in water to disconnect the main power, consult an electrician for advice.
Assess the damage. Before starting the cleanup, first determine whether rebuilding is the right option. Take many photos and collect other documentation to present to the insurance company.
Rescue the most valuable possessions. If possible, find and move your most important items out of the flooded area, such as family heirlooms, money, jewelry, etc. Don't spend too much time collecting and cleaning each item individually, as the water is still causing damage to your home.
Remove standing water. The longer the water remains, the more damage it will cause. You must pump the water out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you live in a flooded area, wait until the water level has dropped below your home before pumping.
- Wear appropriate protective gear. When working in floodwater, you should wear rubber boots, gloves, and a mask or respirator.
- Keep children and pets away from standing water, as it is often contaminated.
- Place the pump at the lowest point of the flooded floor. If the water is deep, you may need to lower the pump with nylon cords.
- For small puddles, you can use a wet-dry vacuum to remove the water. These vacuums usually hold about 15-19 liters of water, so you will need to empty them frequently.
Clear the debris. Be cautious, as there may be nails and other materials left behind after the floodwaters recede.
- Sludge left after a flood often contains significant toxins. Remove the sludge from your home and rinse the walls with clean water. Check for sludge in the air ducts, as it will be harmful once it dries.
- Snakes and rodents may seek shelter in your home after a flood.
Allow electrical devices to dry naturally. Avoid using any device until it is completely dry. Contact the manufacturer for instructions on how to handle the situation.
Control mold growth
Detect mold growth. Mold can be visible, but it can also grow in air ducts, tight spaces, and between walls. If you can't see the mold but notice a musty smell, it is likely that mold has developed.
Act quickly after identifying water damage. Mold begins to grow within 24-48 hours after exposure to moisture. It will continue to spread if not removed, and you must eliminate the moisture entirely.
Turn off the power. If any electrical wires or cables are wet or have mold growth, remember to cut off the power before cleaning. Have an electrician inspect the wires before turning the power back on.
Dry the wet area. It's essential to dry areas affected by mold or moisture as quickly as possible to prevent the mold from spreading. The longer the area remains damp, the easier it is for mold to grow.
- Open windows if the outdoor humidity is lower than indoors.
- Only use a fan to remove moisture if mold has not started growing. Fans can cause mold spores to spread to other areas.
- Remove all wet items from the area, including furniture, carpets, toys, etc.
- Dispose of carpets that have mold growth. Mold is nearly impossible to remove from carpet fibers. Other items can be cleaned and disinfected separately.
- Throw away contaminated food. This also means discarding anything that isn't sealed in a waterproof container.
Dry the walls and ceiling. If the walls have been damaged by floodwater, you must remove all wet materials, including insulation, wood products, and anything porous.
- Drywall is very porous, so it needs to be replaced immediately upon showing any signs of water damage.
- Replace the section of wall from the floor to about 30 cm above the floodwater line.
- You can remove water from the walls by removing baseboards and drilling holes into the floor.
- Be sure to check for mold growth inside the walls.
Contain the mold growth area. If the mold problem is widespread, consider hiring a cleaning professional. Mold can be dangerous when disturbed, as it releases spores into the air.
- Ensure proper ventilation in the area you're cleaning.
- Always wear gloves, a mask or respirator, and protective eyewear.
Clean hard surfaces. Materials such as metal, solid wood, plastic, and glass should be cleaned first with a non-ammonia soap and hot water. Use a stiff-bristled brush on rough surfaces like concrete.
- Use a wet-dry vacuum to remove standing water.
- Disinfect all surfaces after cleaning with a 10% bleach solution. Leave the bleach on the surface for at least 10 minutes before rinsing with water or wiping dry.
Clean porous materials. Upholstered furniture, clothing, bed linens, doormats, carpets, etc., are all porous materials. If you're unsure whether to keep an item that's been soaked with dirty water, it's safest to discard it.
- Clean and disinfect porous materials with pine oil cleaner. Allow the material to dry completely. Monitor the item for several days after cleaning to detect any signs or smells of mold. If mold reappears, dispose of the item.
Stop cleaning if you start experiencing mold toxicity symptoms. If you feel unwell, stop working immediately and consult a professional cleaning service. Symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath, including wheezing
- Stuffy nose
- Dry cough
- Itchy or red eyes
- Nosebleeds
- Rashes or skin irritation
- Headaches, memory loss
Prevent future issues
Rebuild your home with water-resistant materials. Replace materials in flood-prone areas with water-resistant options like stone, tiles, waterproof concrete, and water-resistant drywall.
- Use galvanized nails and screws or stainless steel.
- Install indoor/outdoor carpeting in basements.
- Install a 'remote shut-off valve' to better control your main water supply.
- Apply waterproof sealant.
Inspect for leaks and cracks. Check around doors and windows to ensure the seals are water-tight. Look for signs of paint fading or caulk deterioration, and check for bulging around door frames.
- Replace any loose roof shingles, especially around chimneys and vents.
- Seal any cracks in the foundation. Water accumulating in the foundation can cause significant damage to the structure of the house.
Repair faulty pipes. Any leaking pipes, clogged drains, or malfunctioning drainage systems need to be fixed or replaced.
- Check washing machine and dishwasher hoses to ensure they are not cracked.
Prevent water seepage. Ensure that drainage pipes and gutters can direct water away from the house, with all joints properly sealed.
- If gutters start overflowing after 15 minutes of heavy rain, install additional downspouts to help channel the water more effectively.
- Ensure that the ground around the house is sloped to prevent water from entering the foundation and basement.
Elevate electrical appliances. If your basement is prone to flooding, elevate electrical devices to protect them from minor floods.
- Raise any items that are prone to damage, such as washing machines, dryers, ovens, water heaters, electrical cables, and personal belongings.
File an insurance claim
Contact the insurance company. The sooner you get in touch with your insurance provider, the faster your claim will be processed. The compensation you receive will depend on your coverage, and they are responsible for managing your claim.
Create an inventory. List all the damaged items before starting the cleanup process. Include photos and videos as evidence if possible.
- Let the claims adjuster know when you dispose of health-hazardous items, such as spoiled food. These can be claimed, so they need to be informed.
- Ask about keeping samples. In some cases, you may need to keep a sample of damaged property, such as a piece of carpet or doormat, for the claim process.
Keep all receipts. During the cleanup process, make sure to keep receipts for all materials and services you have hired. You should even retain hotel bills for the days you were unable to stay in your home.
