Water Damage Restoration For Floors and Walls

A flood or failed plumbing eventually winds up on the floors and possibly creeping into the walls. Techniques to restore flooring will alter slightly depending on the type of floor covering that has been damaged. However, in each case the big danger is mold or mildew taking hold. The drying process should be started immediately and after that, it's up to you whether you call in the water damage restoration experts or attempt to dry your belongings yourself. If you don't feel comfortable with the work that may be required to comelete the restoration job then you first task is to call in the water damage specialists.

Failing any of these restoration solutions the final option may well be to come up with inexpensive flooring to replace the flooded floor.

Restoring Hardwood Floors After Water Damage

Bearing the brunt of major water damage, hardwood floors will run the risk of suffering severe damage owing to swelling and buckling unless expert restoration is done. A water damage restoration company can control the drying time to fix hardwood floor water damage with a couple of simple techniques such as forcing air through the undersides of the floorboards.

Another successful technique employed by restoration companies is to alleviate the pressure built up by the swollen floorboards by removing a board every few feet. Taking the pressure out of the floor lowers the risk that the boards will buckle during the drying process.

So how should you dry water damaged hardwood floors? The best method is to create good air circulation in the room. Open windows and doors and turn on fans to help move the air around the room faster. By creating air flow in the room the evaporation process will begin, moving out the moisture loaded air and moving in dry air.

Air drying can be a slow process when trying to dry out water damaged floors but it is also the most inexpensive. The trick is to start the process as early as possible after the floor has become wet.

Laminate Water Damage

If your laminate floor has developed a buckle or it is warping to any degree, it could be a sign that there is some kind of water damage affecting it. Water may affect laminate flooring by getting into the subfloor where the dampness affects the laminate bond.

If you find laminate flooring water damage the affected area in the laminate must be lifted and removed. It may then be possible to cut out a replacement piece and fit it in the hole, but this is a tricky operation and will depend on the type of laminate flooring you’re trying to replace such as laminate planks, strips or tiles.

As a little tip with laminate floors, never use a wet mop to clean them because the water can seep through the joins and cause irreparable damage underneath. Rather, use either a vacuum or a broom to keep it clean. You should also avoid using abrasive cleaning liquids on the floor because it can end up scratching the floor.

Laminate floor water damage can also occur as a result of high humidity or sudden changes in humidity from low to high and back to low again. These fluctuations can cause the laminated boards to separate causing large gaps between the boards and can even result in buckling.

Drywall Water Damage

If the water has travelled high enough to start moving up the walls, then you're going to have to prepare yourself for some damage to the drywall.

The first step to restoring water damaged drywall is to pin down the extent of the damage that you have to fix. Your first determination has to be whether the damage is small enough that you can repair it yourself or if it is so extensive you will have to call in the restoration professionals.

If the damage is manageable you will have to cut out the damaged section of the wall. This serves two purposes: first, the wall will have started to swell and break down if the floodwater levels were high for any period of time; second, you want to get ventilation into the wall cavity to dry out the space completely.

Once the remaining wall is dry you can install a drywall patch over the hole. If the hole is a significant size you may need plywood backing. But the drywall replacement job is the same as a normal drywall patch.

If you think your home may be prone to more flooding, it might be an idea to buy a water-resistant drywall patch to avoid having to go through another traumatic water restoration project.

Carpet Water Damage

A nightmare to restore and, if we are talking about water damage from a flood, be prepared to lose the underlay and maybe even the entire carpet too. The job of a good water damage restoration expert is to dry the carpet quickly without destroying the shape of the carpet (it may stretch or shrink if not restored properly).

As a simple rule of thumb, if you are unable to dry your carpet within 48 hours after the water damage occurred the carpet should be discarded. And if the carpet has been contaminated with sewage or gray water, it must definitely be discarded.

So the first thing you need to do is to get as much water out of the carpet as quickly as possible, but do it in a way that won't cause the carpet to go out of shape. The carpet needs to be lifted and, if possible, blowers placed around the room to get the air moving. While the carpets are up have the doors and windows open or, if it is warm, make use of a dehumidifier to ensure the hard structures of the room have been completely dried out.

Only when the room has been completely dried out and the treatment of the carpet has been completed should the carpet be re-installed. Failure to do so will only invite the possibility of mold and mildew to take up residence in your house.

Rug Water Damage

A little easier to restore after water damage than carpet, a water damaged run can absorb a lot of moisture but it can be reasonably easily removed for cleaning and drying. The pile of the rug can harbor bacteria and must be thoroughly washed. In the case of some expensive rugs, specialist restoration work may be required, possibly to repair any color bleeding that may have taken place.

Quick, but controlled, drying of rugs can be achieved by taking them off site and placing them in a dedicated drying room. Proper care by professionals is recommended for treasured rugs to prevent shrinkage or the rugs going out of shape.

Water Damage Restoration

Water damage restoration is a specialist job and although the initial steps of beginning the drying process by promoting good ventilation into the house, it is a good idea to call in the water damage restoration experts as early on in the process as you can.

This article is part of the wide array of detailed information available about fire and water damage restoration on the site.

Fire Damage Cleanup Tips

During bushfire season the risk of fire damage is great in some areas which has prompted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to issue recommendations to local residents about how they might conduct a fire damage cleanup. These tips are to help to remove smoke and fire damage in and around the house.

• Launder or dry clean all clothing.

• Pressure wash, scrub or disinfect all exterior surfaces including walls, walks, drives, decks, window and deck screens, etc.

• Wash and disinfect all interior walls and hard surfaces with mild soap or other appropriate cleaning solutions or products, and rinse thoroughly. Don't forget inside cabinets, drawers and closets.

• Wash, dust or otherwise clean all household items, including knick-knacks.

• Disinfect and deodorize all carpets, window coverings, upholstered furniture and mattresses with steam or other appropriate equipment.

• Upholstery, fabric window treatments, etc. can be spray-treated with deodorizing products available at most supermarkets, but do not use odor-masking sprays.

• Have heating, ventilating and air-conditioning units and all ductwork professionally cleaned to remove soot, ash and smoke residue. Change filters when you first return to the premises and at least once a month for the first year.

• If aerial fire retardant or firefighting foam residue is present on the house and/or automobiles, use a mild detergent and brushes to scrub and dilute the dried residue and flush it from the surfaces; rinse with clean water. A follow-up with pressure washing may be beneficial but will not replace scrubbing to remove the residue.

• Ash and soot on the ground and vegetation in the vicinity will continue to generate smoke odors and airborne particles when disturbed by air movement. Until the ash and soot are diluted and absorbed by the environment, indoor mechanical air filtration may help minimize the uncomfortable and potentially health-threatening impact of these pollutants.

With a house fire cleanup the steps you take will have to be carefully considered so that further damage is not inflicted upon your possessions. On a similar note, take extra care when moving around the damaged property to ensure that you don't misstep and go through a weakened part of the floor or cause the collapse of unstable structures.

Moving outside the house we come to a different kind of fire restoration consideration which comes in relation to the effects on the landscape around the home after a firestorm. In this case there may be considerable damage to the soil upon which the house sits making the landscape itself extremely unstable. Because there will be a lack of vegetation following a large fire there is a real chance of soil erosion which makes another potential hazard for the home. One of the tasks that should be undertaken is to select some fast growing plant species for the land around the house that will help to preserve the soil.

What is not mentioned by the FEMA guidelines is that the best plan for a fire damage cleanup is to contact a fire damage restoration firm. These professionals are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to get the best fire damage cleanup results possible.

There is quite a lot of stress surrounding any kind of disaster, particularly when you home and loved ones are involved, Fire Water Damage Restoration attempts to explain some of the options that are open to you to make things a little easier.

Conducting Your Own Water Damage Restoration

In order to mitigate the damage caused by either a fire or water disaster there are a few steps you can take. These can all be done while waiting for your fire and water damage restoration experts to arrive.

Water damage - some small restoration tasks to carry out:

• Circulate the air by turning on fans so that things dry quickly.
• If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available.
• Mopping and blotting will remove water.
• Wipe furniture and surfaces dry.
• Draperies and curtains that are hanging to the floor should be lifted off the ground and hung up over the drapery rod.
• Get furniture legs off the floor by placing them on blocks of wood. Wet furniture cushions should be propped up to dry.
• Rugs or other floor coverings should be removed from wet areas.
• Drawers and doors should be opened to enhance drying.
• Move photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe, dry location.
• Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
  

Important warnings when dealing with water damage

• Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.
• Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or wet floors.
• Do not go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
• Do not lift tacked down carpet without professional help. Lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinkage.
• Do not wait to call for fire and water damage restoration professional help. Damage from the water and bacteria growth can begin within hours.
  

Remember, these pieces of advice, warnings and tips are all steps you can take yourself while waiting for fire and water damage restoration experts to get to your place. Often times, your insurance company will pay for the restoration work to be carried out, but this should be confirmed before work begins.

There is quite a lot of stress surrounding any kind of disaster, particularly when you home and loved ones are involved, Fire Water Damage Restoration attempts to explain some of the options that are open to you to make things a little easier.

Conducting Your Own Fire Damage Restoration

Although it is not advisable to enter your home after it has been ravaged by fire and, if you don't know what you're doing, you can cause more harm than good. Fire damage restoration is a specialist job and for the most part should be left to the experts to do. Soot is an amazingly stubborn substance to remove unless you are aware of the techniques that work and those that should be avoided.

That being said, the sooner a fire damage cleanup can be started the better the chance that objects can be saved. Even though the fire may be out, some materials continue to be affected if they are not treated promptly. While waiting for the experts to arrive there are a few simple tasks that can be carried out that may reduce some of the ongoing damage.

What to do if you have smoke/fire damage

* Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes, and carpets.
* Cover carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling.
* Discard open food packages. The food could be contaminated.
* If electrical service is off, clean out your freezer and refrigerator. Leave the doors propped open or place charcoal in the unit.
* Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified professional dry cleaner who specializes in smoke damage.
* Clean Formica and chrome fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom to prevent permanent tarnishing.
* Wipe residue from porcelain bath fixtures to prevent etching.
* Wipe the leaves of houseplants to remove smoke residue.
* Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
* Tape cheesecloth over intake and outlet air registers to capture any loose soot in the air. This is even more effective if the cheesecloth is damp.
* If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.

Important warnings on smoke and fire damage

* Do not attempt to wash any papered or flat painted walls without consulting your professional cleaner. Incorrect cleaning procedures could compound the soot residue problem.
* Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture. Again, incorrect procedures could increase damage.
* Do not use electrical appliances that have been close to fire or water before having them checked. They could malfunction.
* Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. A short circuit could result.
* Do not touch anything. Soot on your hands can permeate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing further damage.
* Do not eat food that has been exposed to fire or smoke.
* Do not wait to call for professional help.

Tips To Prevent Fire Damage

There are some valuable steps that you may think about taking before a fire ever has a chance to occur in your home. Rather than find yourself in the position where you have to get someone to come and perform fire damage restoration, you can fireproof your home.

Make sure your power points aren’t overloaded nor are the electrical circuits. Make sure that smoke detectors have been fitted throughout the house and that they are situated close enough to bedrooms that they will be heard and will wake a sleeping person. Clothes dryers can be the cause of a house fire if the lint tray isn’t regularly cleaned. Make sure that this becomes a regular task, particularly if you use your dryer a lot.

Generally, taking extra care when there is an open flame, such as from a fireplace fire or even the gas cooker, is essential. So many kitchen fires are started simply by not taking close enough care to the open flame and brushing clothes or a piece of material into the fire which catches alight.

Failing to extinguish a cigarette properly is also a recipe for a fire disaster, either by falling asleep while smoking or throwing it in a bin without ensuring that it is no longer alight. Taking an extra few seconds to finish the job will eliminate the possibility that you risk starting a house fire.

By following as many of the common sense tips for preventing fires as you can, you may just avoid having to call in a fire damage restoration professional after all.

Fire and Water Damage Restoration Services

There are companies that specialize in the restoration of fire damaged structures. Whether you or your insurer employs this type of service, be clear on who will pay. Be sure to request an estimate of cost for the work. Before any company is hired for some fire damage cleanup, check its references.

These companies provide a range of services that may include some or all of the following:

• securing the site against further damage – this involves repairing any obvious damage to walls, doors, windows or ceilings. Basically any breach of the home’s ability to be locked due to the course of the fire damage.

• estimating structural damage – ideally, the fire damage restoration professional you hire will be licenced to perform an estimate of the work that will be required to repair structural damage to the house.

• repairing structural damage – the restoration experts should have a general contractor’s licence and be insured to perform the repairs necessary to put the house in order again.

• estimating the cost to repair or renew items of personal property – similar to the structural repair estimate, a decision must be made as to what items need to be replaced and what can be restored.

• packing, transportation, and storage of household items – your fire and water damage restoration experts should provide a service of packing up the household items and removing them from the location to be stored or restored and stored, to be returned after the general clean up is completed.

• securing appropriate cleaning or repair subcontractors – the cleaning services that you would be seeking would involve cleaning the ceilings, walls, trims, windows, doors, flooring, cabinets, joists, generally any surface that has been affected by soot and smoke from the fire.

• storing repaired items until needed – after any necessary repairs are made, the items should be stored along with any items that were deemed not to require repair.

When dealing with fire damage, due to the materials that may be found in the home such as synthetics, items that look to have survived the fire with minimal damage immediately after the fire can continue to deteriorate and become unsalvageable in a very short time.

Ideally, the required fire or water damage restoration process can take place as soon after the fire as possible. It’s for this reason that there should be as little delay before calling the professionals as possible. Knowing the services available to you will help you to cope with fire or water damage.

There is quite a lot of stress surrounding any kind of disaster, particularly when you home and loved ones are involved, Fire Water Damage Restoration attempts to explain some of the options that are open to you to make things a little easier.

Coping With A Fire & Water Damage Restoration

Dealing with a disaster such as flood damage or a house fire is a harrowing ordeal in the first place, attempting to go through the process of fire and water damage restoration on your own can prolong the pain. The problem is, failing to get the proper restoration experts in to clean up the fire or water damage can result in even higher costs, or worse, can result in the unnecessary loss of sentimentally valuable objects.

Metal fixtures such as door handles and faucets can suffer permanent damage if they are not properly treated as soon as possible after a fire. Calling in professionals trained to restore fire damages resulting from the effects of heat, smoke and residues from fire and smoke is very important. Often times, there is further damage that requires restoration work that has resulted from the process of attempts to put the fire out. Water damage on top of the fire damage introduces a range of new and unique complications that must also be dealt with.

In attempting to cope with the trauma of the incident ourselves the chances are that we can become easily upset and distracted which leads to accidents. A fire or water damage restoration job should be done as coolly and dispassionately as possible, preferably by someone who is not emotionally attached to the property they are attempting to restore.

Part of the process of a fire or water damage restoration involves assessing what can be salvaged and restored and what must be replaced, the most effective method of cleaning, the condition the property was in before the damage occurred and the full extent of the loss.

Services that you made need to make use of when calling on a fire damage restoration may include the removal of smoke odor, cleaning soot from electronics and/or machinery, toxic chemical detection and removal, noxious gas detection and removal and restoration of surfaces back to their original condition.

When requesting a water damage restoration you can expect a full inspection that may identify faulty construction allowing moisture into the home, poor maintenance and identification of points where humidity may be allowed to get too high. Water damage doesn’t necessarily come as a result of a natural disaster such as a flood or hurricane. Leaky pipes, poor insulation, badly installed windows or plumbing can all be to blame. A good water damage restoration expert should be able to identify the cause of the water damage, advise on the best way to prevent further damage and repair the damage already caused.

The main thing you are trying to achieve is to get some peace of mind so you are able to put the ordeal behind you. A fire water damage restoration team that is efficient and professional will help you to achieve that peace of mind quickly. A fast turnaround means the process of coping with the reality of damage to your house is over as soon as permissible.

There is quite a lot of stress surrounding any kind of disaster, particularly when you home and loved ones are involved, Fire Water Damage Restoration attempts to explain some of the options that are open to you to make things a little easier.

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