Water Damage: Ten Tips For The Homeowner

By Author: Leo Nov
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Water damage is a nasty problem when it occurs in the home. Fortunately for homeowners, cleaning up can be easy if these ten tips are followed:

1. It the item is still wet, rinse it with clear water or spray it with water using a fine hose. Remove all dry silt and debris from the item by using brushes with soft bristles or by dabbing them with damp cloths. Try not to wipe the item when there is still debris on it since this may produce scratches on the surface of the item. Use a clean and soft cloth to dry. Use plastic or rubber gloves when handling all water damage cleanup activities.
2. If possible, air-dry all objects indoors. Direct sunlight and heat may dry certain materials too quickly which may result in furthering the damage done to them. Wooden materials with water damage may warp and deform when dried using heat. Heated leather materials may for cracks and become brittle.
3. Do not store damp or items with water damage inside sealed containers such as plastic bags because this will build up moisture inside the bags that can lead to mold growth. If damp items are to be transported using plastic ...
... bags, keep bags open so that air can circulate in and out of the bags.
4. The best practice of inhibiting mold growth is to lessen the amount of humidity. This can be achieved by increasing the air flow in the area with water damage by using fans, opening the windows, and by using air conditioners and dehumidifiers. Opening the lights on can also reduce mold growth.
5. If the walls, baseboards, floors and other surfaces of the home is heavily affected by mold growth, remove the mold growth by using commercially available disinfectants. Make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturers on disinfectant labels. When handling disinfectants, make sure that proper protective gear such as rubber gloves, face mask, and goggles are worn.
6. If the item that has water damage is broken or has fallen apart, place all the parts together in open containers for drying. Make sure that all parts of the item are already dry before attempting to repair them. If the item is of great value, consult with a professional water damage restorer.
7. Documents, photographs, books and other paper materials are extremely sensitive to handling when wet. Always use caution when handling these materials. Carefully rinse of mud and debris off documents and books with clear slow flowing water, do not attempt to wipe them off manually. Documents that have water damage should be air-dried or kept in a dry-freezer such as a meat locker. Valuable documents should be handled by professional restorers.
8. Organic materials such as textiles and leather can also be severely affected by water damage. They should be allowed to dry without the use of heat. Dry them with the use of fans or dehumidifiers. For carpets and other washable textiles, launder them as you would normally do when they are dirty.
9. For paintings, remove them from the frame but not from the stretcher. Do not dry them under direct sunlight to prevent them from shrinking. Instead air dry them face up in a secure area.
10. Furniture finishes when exposed to water will become hazy or produce a white bloom. Do not re-finish antiques since it will lessen their price value. Instead, let these furniture and antiques dry slowly using fans and dehumidifiers. If furniture is valuable, always consult a professional restorer.

These above tips are recommended for general water damage cleanup only. The best tip is still to consult with an expert.
Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about water damage and water damage in Basement, visit RestorationSOS.com