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DIY Water Cleanup

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The Hidden Dangers of DIY Water Damage Restoration

Water damage can prove to be a challenging task to undertake alone. So, while it is tempting to treat it as a DIY project to save money, there are some hidden dangers and risks you need to know about before attempting to take this approach. 

Here are some reasons why DIY water damage restoration isn’t always the best idea and when you must call the professionals…

Lack of Water Mitigation Knowledge and Expertise

When it comes to water damage and mitigation and restoration, you will find it requires specialized knowledge, equipment, and techniques. Professionals are trained to assess the extent of the damage in a home or business, identify potential hazards like mold and mildew growth, and then implement the right restoration and remediation procedures. 

DIY attempts without this expertise or the right equipment may lead to an incomplete job, future issues, and more damage. 

Hidden Water and Moisture

Water can seep into hidden areas you can’t necessarily see, like into the walls, under the flooring, and within the other building materials in the space. If these areas aren’t adequately dried and treated like the others, this hidden moisture and water can cause structural damage and will prove to be the ideal breeding ground for a mold infestation.

black mold growing on a wallMold and Mildew Growth

Did you know that mold and mildew can actually start growing 24 to 48 hours after the water damage occurs?

When the area isn’t dried and treated properly, it can lead to a mold infestation and pose a health risk to the occupants of the building, along with additional damage to the property.

Electrical Hazards

Water damage can also significantly impact the electrical systems and appliances in the affected areas. You need to take the right safety precautions and have the right knowledge before working on electrical components that the water has damaged. If not, it can result in fires and electrocution. 

Contaminated Water

The water can contain harmful pathogens, chemicals, and toxins if the flooding is due to a sewage spill or the water comes from another contaminated source. Professionals have the gear necessary to protect them from these hazards to continue the job safely and effectively.

The Wrong Equipment

You need specialized drying equipment for proper water damage restoration and remediation, including industrial-strength dehumidifiers. This isn’t equipment the average person has in their garage or shop. DIY methods often lack access to this equipment, leading to prolonged drying times and secondary damage. 

Jeopardized Insurance Coverage

When filing a claim for water damage, your insurance coverage may require you to enlist a professional company’s services to ensure the job is done correctly and future damage can be prevented. A DIY restoration may jeopardize your insurance coverage, and they may not accept your claim. 

When to Call the Water Damage Cleanup Professionals

If you are faced with significant water damage, contaminated water, mold growth, or electrical issues, or you are unfamiliar with the proper restoration techniques, you should avoid the DIY path and leave the job up to the professionals. Proper and effective water damage restoration is crucial for preventing further damage and avoiding potential health risks. 

DIY wet carpet dry out

How To Dry Carpeting To Soak Up Excess Water

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Water damage can be difficult to deal with, especially when it comes to what to do when your carpet gets wet. Many people get confused the best way forward to drying out your wet carpeting so you can prevent mold growth and avoid having to get your carpeting replaced.

Here are some of the things to think about as you look to figure out how to dry up the excess water from carpeting that has sustained water damage…

1) Use towels to soak up excess water

If there is water standing on top of the carpet, you can use towels to soak up that top layer of moisture. This is a good way to get rid of some water quickly before taking out the equipment. Remember, you want to act as soon as you can!

2) Vacuum it up

The next step is to bring out equipment to draw out as much water as possible. A good-quality vacuum that can suck up water is the way to go. This is going to ensure you are able to dry up the carpet and prevent the presence of mold. Be meticulous as you go about doing this so you can get rid of it quickly!

3) Get under the carpeting, if possible

If you can, you want to make sure to get under the carpeting as much as possible. This is tough with wall-to-wall carpeting, but you have to stay on top of things as much as you can. Otherwise, mold will grow because water is allowed to stay underneath the top layer. Be vigilant and make sure to properly vacuum the area.

These tips are going to give you the best chance at drying out your wet carpeting so that mold growth doesn’t become a major problem and you can retain it and not have to remove it.

However, if the above instructions are not implemented quickly enough you will certainly need to remove the damaged carpeting. Of course, your best option may be to hire a professional water damage mitigation company to dry out all wet surfaces and materials.

mold growth on walls and ceiling

Simple Tips for Removing Water From Carpets to Stop Mold

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Mold can damage a building so severely that it requires major repairs to fix. This only happens when mold is allowed to grow massively, and it is usually not of any concern to the average homeowner unless a major storm occurs and causes water damage to the home or business.

Everyday spills on carpets can also lead to mold growth. While you probably will never have to worry about getting your whole house renovated because of a spilled glass of water, you do want to use care to clean up spills quickly. Mold can grow quickly itself and it thrives in areas where moisture exists. It can damage carpets which can become a costly thing to fix.

Clean Up Water Immediately

The moment you notice a spill, clean it up. Most of the time any small amount of water that comes into contact with your carpet will dry just fine on its own. In fact, many manufacturers create carpeting that resists spills and stains so you can usually be confident that any small spill will rectify itself. However, if you live in a damp climate, like here on Long Island, or the carpeting is in a basement or other room susceptible to moisture, make sure to clean the spill fast. Use a dry, soft cloth to blot it.

If there is more of a spill or it is covering a larger amount of carpeting, you can bring out a hairdryer to dry it. If you do not have time to stand there with a blow dryer, bring a fan into the room and turn it on to high. Open any windows if the weather permits you to. This will speed the drying up.

Is your spill especially severe or has the home been affected by rain coming through a leaky window? If so, you will want to get a high-powered fan to do the drying. You can find one at a hardware or home improvement store. You can also phone your local water cleanup company to help as they have professional-grade fans to use for the purpose of drying out large areas as well.

Make Use of Dehumidifiers

dehumidifierThis is a good idea if you live in a wet climate or you are dealing with a basement area. Running dehumidifiers on a daily basis will keep all moisture out for the good of the carpet and the rest of the structure.

However, if you have a spill or a leak and need some additional spot drying it cannot hurt to run the dehumidifier after you put on the fans. For these jobs, keep them going at least one day after the drying is complete. This is to ensure that the whole carpet is dry right down to the padding.

Use Steam Cleaners Routinely

Everyday moisture can add up to damaging your carpets over time. Make use of steam cleaners every few months to pull up any germs, bacteria or potential mold. These machines will deodorize your house, too.

You love your carpets, so show them as much care as you can. Follow all these tips for cleaning up water so that mold growth will never happen.

wet dry vacuum

How To Dry Out Drywall After Water Damage Has Occurred

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Walls and ceilings of most homes are made of drywall. Drywall becomes stained and discolored once it gets wet. Water damage can devastate the drywall most of the time. Soon you will find the paint and wallpaper starting to bubble. Depending on the extent of the damage, the drywall can completely crack or crumble. You should take immediate action to dry out the drywall soon after water damage has occurred. If not, mold and mildew will thrive in wet conditions.

Here are effective do-it-yourself tips on how to dry out drywall after water damage has occurred…

  1. Find the water source
  2. Extract the standing water
  3. Use a wet or dry vacuum
  4. Remove damaged materials

Find the water source – The first thing is to locate and resolve the source of water damage. For a burst pipe or any other plumbing issue, you should turn off the supply line and repair the pipe. If the water is due to floods, you should wait until the water recedes to begin the repairs.

Extract the standing water – Once the flow of water recedes, extract the water as quickly as possible to limit the water damage to the drywall. Use towels to soak up the water near the drywall and a water pump to extract the water. The more time you take to extract the water, the greater the damage to the drywall.

Use a wet or dry vacuum – Once you have removed the bulk of the water, use a wet or dry vacuum to extract the remaining water. work in sections to vacuum the entire area until no more water comes out. You need to empty the vacuum on a regular basis for the best efficiency.

A man repairing his ceiling after water damageRemove damaged materials – Once you vacuum the area and get rid of the last drops of water near the drywall, check out for damaged materials. If part of the drywall is sagging, cracked or crumbling, it’s best to remove it.

Dry the water damaged walls – The final step is to dry the area to prevent further damage and mold growth. You can use blowers and dehumidifiers for this purpose. Pedestal or table fans will also work to dry the area.

Professional Water Damage Cleanup Services

Drywall water damage restoration is best left for the professionals. You shouldn’t take it lightly since it takes experience and skills to restore a water damaged drywall. A professional water damage restoration service can assist you to dry out and repair a water damaged drywall within no time. Call a professional water damage restoration company to restore your drywall.

Top Four Ways To Prevent Frozen Pipes

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Once the weather starts to get cold, the chances of your pipes freezing goes way up. Frozen pipes can burst and this can lead to huge plumbing bills and expensive water damage to your home. When the temperatures drop below freezing you are going to want to do some simple things to protect your plumbing system from freezing.

Here are 4 things you need to do to prevent frozen pipes:

  1. Open The Cabinets
  2. Let The Faucet Drip
  3. Keep The Heat Steady
  4. Insulate Your Pipes

Let’s take a closer look at each of these items…

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How To Remove Water From Carpet After A Flood

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wet dry vacuumHaving a home flood is stressful and there is so much cleaning up that you have to deal with after your house floods. Removing all the water quickly is crucial if you want to avoid mold growth.

Mold can grow quickly and it can lead to a lot of problems in your home. Mold removal is very expensive and being exposed to mold is dangerous to your health and can lead to respiratory issues. If your carpet has water in it, you are going to want to remove the water so mold doesn’t grow. Read on to learn how to remove water from your carpet after a flood.

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DIY Process For Repairing A Water Damaged Ceiling

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A man repairing his ceiling after water damageThe majority of homeowners would agree that one of the most frustrating issues facing them is ceiling repair.

This frustration can be magnified if the damage is the result of water, and it stems from the fact that a lot of money may need to be spent to repair or replace the ceiling. The final cost depends on how much damage is present.

Sheetrock and plaster are the two materials that are used for the construction of most ceilings in the United States. Unfortunately, these materials are subject to the build-up of water on their surfaces. Once water begins to saturate the surface of the plaster or sheetrock, the material can begin to swell and leak. As a result, the ceiling can become so damaged that it can collapse and jeopardize the structural integrity of the house.

The most effective solution is to hire a company that specializes in water damage repair. Water extraction companies specialize in repairing areas damaged by water, and the contractors have the experience and knowledge to prevent mold outbreaks in the damaged area.

Even though it is recommended that you hire professional contractors to repair the water-damaged ceiling on your house, there are some steps you can take if you decide to tackle the repair job on your own.

Do-It-Yourself Ceiling Water Damage Repair

Step #1: locate all areas where leaks may be coming from
Step #2: protect (cover) your furniture and valuables
Step #3: dry out the affected area
Step #4: Remove the areas of the ceiling that have been damaged
Step #5: Repair the ceiling 
Step #6: Paint the ceiling

Locate The Leak

Water damage on the ceiling typically results from a leak. This means that the first step you should complete is to locate all areas where leaks may be coming from. It is important to ensure that all leaks are found so they can be repaired. If not, there is a high probability that leaks can occur after the repair has been completed.

So, how can you locate a ceiling leak? Although it may seem like a simple enough exercise, you will likely go through a series of trial and error to find the water leaks. Did you know that the location where the water entered the home may not be the actual source of the leak?

Water flows through the easiest path it can find in order to reach the lowest area of obstruction. This is the point where it will begin to pool and leak. It is important to perform a complete inspection and then eliminate the most common causes. You can use this information as a starting point.

Dry The Damaged Area

The next step involves drying out the affected area. However, before you begin this process, make sure that all of your furniture and valuables are protected. The floors should also be protected with tarps. A vacuum or a towel can be used to dry excess water from the ceiling. Be sure to clean the exterior and interior of the ceiling.

You can then begin to remove the excess water from the ceiling by stabbing through the ceiling. This process will allow excess water to pour down. It is important to do this so mold and mildew will not have the opportunity to develop.

Remove the areas of the ceiling that have been damaged. These areas can be identified by areas of the ceiling that are bulging or loose. The damaged areas may need to be scraped away. Paint scrapers or knives can be used to remove the water damaged areas.

Repair And Paint

The next two steps involve repairing the ceiling and painting the ceiling. It is during this stage where the drywall may also need to be repaired.

Applying a primer coat on the stained or repaired drywall is the final step. The coat of primer will need some time to dry. You may need to apply a second coat, but this will depend on how visible the stain is.

Depending on the situation, water damaged ceiling repair may be covered by your home insurance policy. If you are not able to complete the repair yourself, hire a professional water extraction and repair company to do so. They have the expertise and knowledge necessary to assess the damage and make the correct repairs to your ceiling.

Tips For Water Damage Drywall Repair

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drywall water damageIf your Long Island home was constructed in the early 60s, your ceiling and walls are most likely made of some kind of drywall material. Often referred to as wallboard, sheetrock or plasterboard, drywall is made of gypsum-based plaster that is sandwiched between to paper sheets. Depending on the use, gypsum can be mixed with other materials to reduce water absorption, flammability and mold growth.

Any water event can damage your drywall, but water wicking is probably the biggest cause of drywall water damage. This occurs when water sips into your house and stays against the wall for an extended period of time. The longer it sits, the bigger the damage and while it’s possible to dry the drywall, you may need to cut out and replace it.

Repairing Drywall Water Damage

There are various signs of drywall water damage, including sagging walls, peeling paint, discoloration, bubbles and yellow-brown stains.

Here are the steps for water damaged drywall repair:

Locate the Water Damage Source

Before you can fix the drywall, you need to find the source of the water. If you have had a plumbing issue, it’s advisable to turn of your water supply line in order to halt water flow. Small leaks can be repaired without turning off the supply. For a flood, you should wait until the storm or flood waters have passed.

Extract the Standing Water

Once the flow stops, the next step is to begin extracting the water. You can use towels or buckets, but a pump is usually more efficient. You can rent a water pump if you do not own one. No matter the method you utilize, the goal is to do the extracting as quickly as possible as the longer it sits, the more damage your drywall will experience.

Remove the Damaged Materials

The next step is to remove any damaged materials. If your drywall is already sagging, crumbling or cracked, it is best to remove it. If it’s only damp, it’s possible to dry it. When removing the drywall, you should make clean cuts of at least 2’’ away from the damaged area. Depending on the damage extent, you might have to remove flooring, damaged wall studs, ceilings as well as cabinets.

Dry The Water Damaged Walls

Drying the area to prevent mold growth or additional damage is the next step. It’s advisable to utilize dehumidifiers and high-efficiency blowers. If you need this equipment, you can ideally rent it at the local rental company. Let the blowers work until studs and drywall are entirely dry. Keep the area well ventilated and humidity low. However, avoid cranking up the heat as it can cause mold to grow.

Hang New Drywall

For smaller parts, it is possible to patch the damage with joint compound, which is readily available at a local hardware store. In some situations, you may have to apply some drywall tape too. As for large sections, you’ll have to hang new drywall. Just cut the drywall a bit smaller than the damaged section and utilize drywall screws in order to secure the wall studs. Then use joint compound and drywall tape to blend it in with the drywall that’s already in place. Depending on your skills, you may have to apply joint compound as well as sand the section a few times to get a smooth surface.

Paint/Wallpaper the Area You Have Restored

The final step in repairing water damaged drywall is to paint or wallpaper the restored area. When painting, consider painting the whole wall for a more uniform result. As for hanging new wallpaper, it’s advisable to first remove the existing one even for the undamaged sections. You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to applying paint as well as wallpaper glue.

What You Should Know Before Cleaning Up After Water Damage In Your Home or Office?

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DIY water damage cleanupIf you are a homeowner, or even if you have a rental, the possibility of experiencing water damage is always there. You may have a home that was built decades ago, and the materials that were used are likely old and outdated. If you have an office, the same is true, particularly if you have a substantial amount of plumbing in washrooms, bathrooms, and other areas.

If you do experience water damage, there are a few things that you should be fully aware of before you embark upon resolving the problems caused by water damage in your home or office.

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