The stories are common: a friend returns from vacation to discover their house flooded from a busted pipe, or a family member sees their basement leak during a particularly wet storm.

Cleaning up after a flood is never fun because there are so many different ways that water can get into a house! When it comes to dealing with water damage, the decision-making process can be tedious and difficult.

We’ve compiled a list of ten methods for home remediation & preventing water damage and repairing it after it occurs.

1. Detect Water Leaking Point

Usually, there are three types of water running through a home at any particular time. The first type of water is known as clean water. A homeowner can easily clean this water, which comes from rain and leaking pipes, on their own.

Another type of water is greywater. Appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and toilets are to blame. Because this water may be tainted, the remediation process may be more difficult.

If you find yourself in the midst of a water leak, you may run into one final form of water: black water. Sewage and other potentially harmful substances are included in this category.

This sewage-tainted water may have come from a neighboring stream or river. We do not advocate repairing water damage produced by black water since it may include hazardous bacteria and toxins.

2. Dry Affected Areas ASAP

When water damage occurs in the home, you must move quickly to restore your property. Standing water can encourage the growth of mold and mildew in as little as 24 hours.

As much as possible, including furniture, should be removed from the affected area and fans placed on the damp floors and walls. Renting a few industrial-strength fans may be necessary if the water damage is extensive enough.

3. Detect any Hidden Moisture

To ensure that your home is completely dry, we recommend that you conduct a thorough inspection of your property after everything has been removed from the enclosure and the drying process has begun.

Check the padding under the carpet and the floorboards to see whether water has seeped in. There is a good chance that you may need to use fans to dry the affected regions.

4. Check for Mold

Check for mold growth in your home’s water-damaged areas once it has dried. Keep an eye out for mold. Some types of mold are dangerous to humans and should be avoided at all costs.

You may be able to do the water damage repair process on your own if the mold problem is minor. On the other hand, if you have an invasive mold problem, you should call an emergency plumber in Folsom, PA.

5. Remove Porous Materials and Drywall

Your home’s porous materials will need to be removed and replaced if water damage is discovered there. Drying out any carpet or wood that doesn’t require major water damage repair may be a viable option.

6. Disinfect Affected Areas

After repairing water damage, it is important to disinfect the areas that have been affected by the process. Bleach solution should be sufficient. Ensure any mold or bacteria is eradicated by disinfecting any things that were previously in the afflicted area.

7. Roof & Siding Inspection

The expense of water damage restoration may be prohibitive if your roof or siding is not properly sealed. Maintaining the integrity of your home’s siding and shingles is essential to preventing water from getting inside.

8. Seal & Caulk

We recommend caulking and sealing new windows, plumbing fixtures, floors, and doorways to minimize future repair work caused by mild or severe water damage.

9. Rethink Flooring

If your flooring has been damaged by water and needs to be removed and replaced, you may want to pause before proceeding with the installation of new flooring.

Waterproof solutions, such as ceramic tile and waterproof vinyl, may be better choices than wood in the event of a future flooding incident.

10. Contact Your Insurance Company

It’s best to leave the extensive water damage repairs to a professional. Contact your insurance company to see if they can assist you in any way. Maintaining a clean, safe, and secure home is easier when you work with your insurance provider throughout the process.