Nobody wants to go through the hassle of having to deal with water damage, especially in cases where the flooding has been occurring for some time and the damage has already been done to the property. Obviously in these types of situations, the ideal solution is to call a professional water damage firm and have them sort out all of the details as far as what would be involved in restoring everything back to normal. In severe cases such as Class 3 and above, there are usually actions beyond extraction that need to be taken: cabinets need to be rebuilt, drywall needs to be replaced, carpet needs to be redone and so on. But what about smaller water damage scenarios, or situations where you may be able to take action as the flooding is happening?
In these situations, the first question that comes up in your mind would probably be: "do I really need to hire a professional for this?" As everyone knows, water damage restoration firms do not come cheap, and many home insurance policies have a deductible that needs to be met before any type of claim is paid out. For a small toilet or kitchen flood, particularly when it's Category 1 clean water, calling a professional can be a costly and ineffective way to fix the problem. Since water extraction equipment and fans can usually be rented for a fraction of the price of hiring a professional, many homeowners may consider a do-it-yourself approach to save money and time.
However, when it comes to water, there are many factors that need to be kept in mind to ensure that the job is done right and prevent issues in the future, particularly when it comes to mold damage. Let's go over some of the basic considerations when weighing the merits of a DIY and professional approach:
1. Evaluate the extent of the damage. This should go without saying, but the very first step would be to see how bad the situation is. If the leak is Category 2 or 3, meaning the water is infected or toxic, a self-restoration will be extremely dangerous to do on your own. On the other hand, Category 1 clean water flooding can probably be handled, provided that there is not a prohibitive amount of water. A relatively small leak (typically Class 1 and possibly 2) in a bathroom or kitchen can most likely be handled with some attention to detail and the proper equipment.
2. Extract as much water as possible. Once the source of the leak is identified, the first step is to remove the water supply, usually by shutting off that particular valve or the water main if needed. With the leak stemmed, the first steps can be taken to remove as much water as possible from the site. This is usually accomplished through a number of means ranging from crude to specialized, but keep in mind that consumer-grade equipment such as a Shopvac or vacuum will simply not be enough to get the job done properly. Also, the type of flooring that houses the water plays a big factor into how difficult extraction will be. Solid surfaces such as tile are usually very easy to deal with, while carpet and wood become exponentially more involved.
3. Map out the areas of moisture. This step is critical in making sure everything is dried out to leave no room for future mold damage. In order to create a moisture map, you will need to obtain a moisture meter and plot out all affected areas in a floor plan. Professionals typically simplify this process by using specialized equipment that detects and maps the moisture automatically. If this step is neglected, the water damage can come back to haunt you in the form of rotting drywall or wooden beams.
4. Dehumidify the environment. The last crucial component to proper restoration and dryout is to remove the excessive moisture from the surrounding air. After water evaporates, it will continue to linger in the area unless you use ventilation to circulate the air or desiccants that absorb the humidity. This step is also one that requires a proper balance of technique between air movement and drying; if improperly treated, the result will be mold growth that will require much more work and expense to remediate.
These are just some of the basic guidelines involved in a proper water damage dryout. As you can see, even small jobs can be deceptively complicated and oftentimes the small details that get overlooked can be what proves to make the difference between a professional job and an incomplete one. Please be advised that if you do decide to go through with your own restoration effort, the steps listed above are just the tip of the iceberg and that there are many more aspects to keep in mind before you should attempt to begin. Proper research will be required so that the dryout does not end up being more costly in the end, so be sure to evaluate all your options to decide if you really can save money by going the do-it-yourself route.
Home Decoration And DIY Home Decoration And DIY
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