A complete guide to water damage cleanup for 2024

The longer the water and damp is left, the more serious the water damage can become. It’s ideal to start drying after the water has been extracted and within 24-48 hours.

By using air movers to dry out the area and belongings, you reduce the risk of more serious damage. It’s best to hire professional dehumidifiers and air movers, or to hire a specialist water damage restoration company like CPL t/a Rainbow Restoration to come get your property as close to its original state as possible.

3. Look for mould and mildew

Once mould and mildew begins to grow, it spreads fast and is very hard to remove. If it spreads, materials like wood and other fabrics are often unsalvageable.

Both mould and mildew are toxic to humans and can cause serious health issues if not dealt with correctly. In cases like this, professional companies are the most experienced in removing mould and mildew effectively and efficiency, to prevent it from spreading further.

4. Remove unsalvageable items and materials

Any porous items or materials will be damaged, including drywall, carpets and fabrics. This will only get worse once mould and mildew start to grow on them. Since these are more than likely to be unsalvageable after water damage, it’s likely that these will have to be thrown away. Therefore, assess what is worth saving and what is not.

5. Decontaminate

It’s always the safest option to call in the professionals to decontaminate the property, as it may not be safe for you to do yourself. If you do choose to decontaminate by yourself, use quality decontaminating products, such as bleach and strong disinfectants.

How does water damage occur?

Water damage can present itself in a number of ways – burst or damaged pipes, heavy rainfall, sewage floods and drainage overflow, for example. This can damage the buildings and contents alike. Water damage, however, can be unexpected and hard to anticipate.

Water damage cleanup equipment

The effectiveness of a rapid response to water damage relies on the type of equipment that is used by specialists on the scene. Below are a few examples of equipment that is designed for the purpose of drying property to the point of restoration:

· Desiccant dehumidifiers – these work by blowing our dry air and absorbing moisture from the area that is being dried, lowering the chances of mould growth and spread.

· Self-draining refrigerant dehumidifier – this is designed to deal with the wet air that is exhausted from the desiccant dehumidifier to avoid it returning to the environment.

· High-pressure air turbine – this pumps out dry air into the wall cavity at high pressure for effective drying, preventing internal moisture build-up.

Importance of quick water damage cleanup

Within just 24 hours, water can cause irreversible damage to any personal belongings and soft furnishings. Ceilings, floors, doors, window frames, carpets and walls will begin to soak up the water and could swell. This could also ruin paint and wallpaper that may be on the walls.

Furthermore, mould and mildew will begin to develop. It’s essential to take action as soon as possible and within 24-48 hours.

If left longer, the damage can cause further issues including:

• Pest infestations
• Stains
• Foul odour
• Corrosion
• Damaged surfaces
• Cracks

Health dangers of water damage

Water damage that has been left untreated increases the risk of health problems. Flood water often contains hazardous contaminants, such as bacteria, fungi and chemical pollutants. If the water is left to dry naturally without the involvement of specialist decontamination equipment, the contaminants will remain, posing often invisible, but very real, threats to your health.

Surfaces that have been damaged by water can encourage the growth of mould and this can worsen long-term health problems, like asthma, according to the NHS. It can also trigger nasal congestion, coughs and other respiratory infections.

The formation of mould is almost guaranteed if damp areas are left untreated for longer than 48 hours, so this is the margin of time within which it is very important to start the water damage cleanup process immediately. It doesn’t take a lot for mould to spread across surfaces that may be damp after an incident. The small size of mould spores makes it easy to this particularly unpleasant fungus to disperse easily.

At CPL t/a Rainbow Restoration, we can provide a range of specialist water damage cleanup services to restore your property after water damage. We are available 24/7, 365 days in the event of an emergency on freephone 0800 030 4360. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to find out more.