Most property owners may experience water damage one time or another, to a varying degree of seriousness. Swift action taken by the property owners is crucial for minimizing the damage and preventing harmful after-effects.
The water damage may happen due to a burst pipe, faulty roof and gutter systems, leaking appliances, plumbing failures in one (or several) parts of the system, Clogged toilets and backups, during storms and heavy rain, or due to any other such reason. Once the area has been affected, it is susceptible to further damage. The resulting moisture can result in the formation of mold and mildew, can damage the furniture and other belongings, and can also rust the metallic surfaces. All sorts of odors can make space unbearable to stand in or breathe. And these are only a few of the problems you might have to face in case of water damage.
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So, as soon as you’ve detected the problem in your property, you should employ the tools at hand to minimize further damage and call proper help if it seems too much to handle yourself. Here’s how a Dehumidifier can help.
Steps-by-Step Guide to Dealing with Water Damage
In case of water damage, a dehumidifier can be of great help. First and foremost, a dehumidifier can extract the moisture from the affected areas and help dry it out. The sooner all the excess water is removed from the affected area, the better. Many dehumidifiers also help remove the odors resulting from water damage and make the area bearable to work. Not only that, dehumidifiers have filters that can trap the harmful airborne particles and keep the air safe to breathe. Not to mention, dehumidifiers ensure there are no mold and mildew formations by sucking out the excess moisture needed. These, among many other reasons, make dehumidifiers a great help in remedying water damage.
To further understand the role of a dehumidifier in the process, let’s see how it functions in water-damaged areas.
Inspecting the Damage
First, have a look at the total damage. Find out the root cause of the problem (if it’s not apparent). It can be a burst pipe or leaky roof, faulty plumbing, or just natural havoc. Once you’ve ascertained the source of damage, your first step should be to fix the problematic source before you begin the repairs. Ensure that there are no exposed wires or any other such accident waiting to happen while you’re inspecting the damage.
Start by fixing the source. You can replace the faulty pipes, get the roof repaired, etc., or do whatever the right course of action is in your particular situation. Call help, if necessary.
Removing the water
If the water is too much, you can begin by removing it with mops and buckets (you can also use a shop-vac or a water pump). Remove all the excess water that you can remove with the tools available to you.
Also, start removing all the things that you can see, such as sofas, books, clothes, etc., before they have permanent damage. Put on protective clothing (Gloves, proper shoes, dress, masks, etc.) as the water may be infected (in case of a flood or sewage leakage) and might cause health problems.
Crack a window
After clearing out the room and removing the visible water to the possible degree, you should open up the windows (if you haven’t already) and turn on all the fans (floor and box) to aid with the evaporation of the remaining water. Make the room as less cluttered as possible, so you can easily navigate around and have a better idea of the areas you need to fix.
Setting up the Dehumidifier for Water Damage
Now is the part where you bring out your dehumidifier. Depending on the damage, you can ascertain which dehumidifier will be the best choice. For example, if the damage is minimal with just minor leaks, you can employ a small unit. However, if the damage is drastic (as in the case of flood damage), you will need a heavy-duty dehumidifier.
- Placing the dehumidifier in a place where it can be most effective is necessary.
- If there’s a lot to work with, you may need more than one dehumidifier.
- For secluded areas, such as small closets and the likes, you can use smaller units.
- Most dehumidifiers have a shut-off function when the condensate tanks are full. You need to keep an eye out for that and empty the tanks when necessary. For continuous operation, some dehumidifiers feature pumps. You can get a unit like that to ensure there are no lags.
- Make sure to find a suitable drain for the hose in case of a continuous process to ensure that the moisture is going out properly.
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Cleanup
You can begin cleaning the hard surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner and get the room to its original condition little by little. Keep the dehumidifiers going until you’re sure there’s no more need and all the excess moisture is gone. Any leftover moisture can cause mold and mildew, furniture damage, and rusting.
Final checkup
Once the excess moisture has reduced, you can survey the entire property again and get an idea of the repairs needed. You can also contact professionals to restore the walls and other structural damage and once again restore your space to its original state.
Keep a dehumidifier handy in case there’s a similar problem again.
Do’s and Don’ts of the Process
- Before you start the dehumidifier, clear the room of all the wet things and clean (and dry) them.
- Don’t go with a room that has a weak roof or walls without professionals with you.
- Check if there’s an open wire or any other electrical disturbance.
- Don’t keep the doors and windows closed.
- Find the paper items first, and try to save them as they might get ruined easily.
- Always keep your cleaning gear on (waterproof boots, gloves, masks, etc.), and discard all the items spoiled by the water. Keep the children, pets, and elders away (in case of a flood), as the water may be contaminated.
- If you have a Shop-Vac, use that for extracting water from surfaces.
- Don’t use an ordinary vacuum cleaner.
- Use a dehumidifier that has a continuous operation in case of a flood, as you’d need a lot of water removed. If more than one dehumidifier is required, you can employ more.
- Don’t use a heavy-duty dehumidifier if not necessary.
- In case the damage is in an isolated part, like a closet, you can use a smaller dehumidifier.
- Keep the dehumidifier running as long as the moisture has not dried out completely.
Bonus – Solutions for dealing with Water Damage
- Depending on the type of water, you should decide whether your want to do it yourself or need help. If it’s clean rainwater or a burst pipe, or even gray water, you can probably take care of it yourself (although, for pipeline repairs, you should get a professional). However, if there’s black water (from sewage or flooding), which can be seriously contaminated, professional help is needed.
- If you have insurance, you can save what’s important and let the company access and deal with the damage.
- For the first two water types (clean and gray), you can begin clearing out the water yourself with buckets and mops, and if available, shop-vac or pumps. Make sure that there are no naked electrical wires or sharp objects lying around.
- If there are books and other documents that spoil fast, you should salvage those. Then you can begin clearing out the types of furniture, cushions, blankets, and so on.
- Drying the areas that have been affected should be the priority. While drying, you can employ various fans to aid in evaporation. Make sure to use powerful fans.
- Remove the damaged objects and random debris from the space entirely.
- Make sure to disinfect the salvaged objects and surfaces to ensure there’s no risk of infection.
- Check the structural integrity of your property. If the drywall is weak beyond salvage, you might need to replace it in its entirety. While repairing, make sure to seal it properly so that the stains don’t appear after repainting.
- The same goes for roof damage. Replace the damaged wood immediately before it compromises the integrity of the rest of the structure. Check the siding as well to see if there’s any damage.
- If the damage is significant, contact a professional agency to take a look.
FAQ’s
Q- What should I do if my roof starts leaking?
A – Check the source of the leak. Whether it’s a leaky pipe or cracked bathroom floor, fix the main problem first. Then, dry the water out with a fan or dehumidifier.
Q- How can I clear out the mold on the walls?
A- If the problem isn’t drastic, you can do it yourself with some cleaning supplies like scrubbing brush, beach, non-ammonia soap and detergent, gloves and masks, etc. Mix one gallon of water with one and a half cup of bleach. Soak a cleaning rag in the solution and start cleaning.
Q- How can I stop the mold from spreading?
A- Mold growth happens when there’s excess moisture in the air. Check to see if you haven’t left a corner unclean. For removing excess humidity, you can use a dehumidifier. Based on how much of it there is for removal, you can get the appropriate model.
Q- What should I do to prevent water damage?
A- Keep a check on all your appliances (that can cause a leak) to see if they are working correctly. Inspect your plumbing from time to time, and if you get any sign of water damage (foul odors, stains/spots in the wall, etc.) anywhere, take quick action.
Q- Will my Insurance cover the expenses of water damage?
A- It depends on factors like the cause of damage and your insurance policy. for example, if the water damage is due to a natural disaster, you can claim insurance. But, if the water damage is resulting from your negligence, there can be issues with the claim.