Water damage treatment of Common Household Materials
Water damage can be caused by a number of reasons. Whatever reason it may be, immediate action and response within 24 to 48 hours should be made to lessen the water damage done to the different household items.
When a water emergency happens in the home, a lot of items can still be salvaged and restored to their original state. However, there are some items that should not be salvaged anymore once it has undergone water damage. Here is a guide on what to do with the different household items that have been water damaged.
Books, Papers and other Documents
It is better to discard non-valuable documents and books that have water damage. However, if the documents are important, the best way to preserve its contents is to photocopy them then discard the originals. If the documents do not have mold growth yet, they can be dried by using a freeze-dry technique. This is done by placing documents inside a frost-free freezer or in a meat locker.
Carpets
Carpets should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent the growth of molds. Remove the excess water with an industrial strength wet vacuum. Use dehumidifiers to lessen ambient humidity. The drying process for carpets that have water damage can be hastened by using fans or portable heaters.
Ceiling Tiles, Cellulose Insulation, and Fiberglass
If these materials are affected by water damage, the best practice is to discard and replace them.
Hard Surfaces with Linoleum and Tiles
Wipe the surface dry then make sure that the floor underneath the linoleum and tiles is also dry. If necessary remove the linoleum covering and use fans hasten the drying process.
Upholstery and leather furnishings
Upholstery or leather furnishings that have water damage may not be dried immediately. Leather should not be dried using heat. Instead, dry leather slowly by using fans or by just wiping it with a dry cotton cloth. If furniture is too valuable, hire the services of a water damage restoration expert.
Drywall and Gypsum Boards
If there are no swelling and the seams are intact, dry these in place. If water damage is severe then remove them and discard them.
Fabrics
Different fabrics can easily be laundered following the recommended laundry instructions for each type of fabric. Drying fabrics under the direct heat of the sun will hasten the drying process as well as disinfect them too. The above list of common materials and the recommended water damage treatments are applicable only to damages caused by clean water. It is also the discretion of the homeowner to salvage or replace the damaged items. If the damage was brought about by sewage or flood waters, then the treatments may be more complicated than those mentioned since consideration should be done to the amount of contaminants that are contained in sewage waters. If damage was done by sewage or flood waters, it is recommended to hire the services of certified experts. In this way, the health of those concerned is protected.
Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage restoration. To learn more about Water Removal and Wet Carpet, visit RestorationSOS.com.
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