7 Costly Mistakes That Can Make Water Damage Worse

When it comes to devastating issues that can affect a property owner, damage caused by water is among the worst. It can be caused by extreme weather, flooded rivers, burst pipes, appliance malfunction, or sewer backup; its impact can far outreach what is seen. Standing water can vanish in hours or days, while dampness behind walls, floors, insulation and building materials can cause damage for months after the surface is dry. The most common mistake homeowners make is eliminating visible water. The reality is flood cleanup is a systematic process of water removal, moisture detection, structural drying, sanitization and restoration. Any of these steps can result in expensive repairs, structural damage, and unhealthy indoor environment.

Mistake 1: Waiting too long to do something.

Many homeowners will postpone cleaning up because the damage seems minor or they think everything will dry on its own. Unfortunately, water damage seldom gets better on its own.

Moisture trapped in the little bits surrounding the affected area keep degrading the surrounding materials and structures for the next hour, and so on.

Delays are expensive due to the following reasons:

·        Once water is trapped within a home, a number of issues start taking place at the same time.

·        Structural elements absorb water.

·        Wood can swell and can deform.

·        Softening and weakening of drywall.

·        The backing of the floor coverings separates from the floor covering.

·        Paint starts peeling.

·        Cabinets absorb water and become destabilized.

When these issues are noticed, moisture may have already penetrated areas that are hidden, thus necessitating a large restoration effort.

Expert Insight

Often restoration techs find water damage a few days after the flooding has occurred, and find that water has seeped through wall cavities and subfloors to neighboring rooms. The drying turned out to be a much bigger restoration than was originally thought, as drying was delayed and the project continues to this day.

It is always cheaper to act quickly rather than wait before repairs are made.

Mistake2: is to believe that all water is safe.

All flood water is not created equal.

Professional water restoration companies categorize water into various levels of contamination because there are different ways to clean them and different safety precautions and rules to take in each case.

Category 1 Water

Category 1 water is water that comes from clean sources like broken supply pipes or sinks overflowing.

It is clean at first, but can easily become contaminated if left standing.

Category 2 Water

If contaminated water has been standing for a longer period, it may contain other substances that may cause illness or discomfort (category 2 water).

Common sources include:

•                   Washing machines

•                   Dishwashers

•                   Overflows without sewage; there are no toilets that leak or overflow.

•                   Certain appliance leaks

Professional cleaning and sanitization are recommended.

Category 3 Water

Black water is referred to as Category 3 water and is usually the most hazardous.

Sources include:

•         Sewage backups

•         River flooding

•         Storm surge

•         Overflowing drains

This water may contain bacteria, viruses, chemicals and other harmful contaminants.

If the water is very polluted, and no protective equipment is being used, then people may be in danger of getting sick.

Experience-Based Advice

If you do not know the source of the flooding, assume that the water could be contaminated and do not use or drink it without evaluation by qualified individuals. This method is used to reduce the risk of accidental exposures, while ensuring safety.

Mistake: 3 Only Drying Visible Areas

A misconception made by homeowners is that if the surface is dry then the home is dry.

Unfortunately, moisture damage is often undetected.

Where Moisture Hides

Water tends to collect in the following ways;

•         Behind drywall

•         Inside insulation

•         Under hardwood flooring

•         Beneath laminate flooring

•         Inside cabinetry

•         Within concrete slabs

•         Around structural framing

•         Beneath carpet underlay

They keep moisture in them even when the water is gone.

Their detection without special moisture detection equipment is nearly impossible to determine accurately.

Understand why hidden moisture is important.

Once moisture is trapped, it goes to work to degrade structural materials long after they look fine on the surface.

This can result in over time:

•         Swollen timber

•         Loose flooring

•         Warped cabinets

•         Ceiling damage

•         Persistent odors

•         Mold growth

Reduced indoor air quality

Professional restoration companies monitor moisture content during the drying procedure instead of depending on it looking dry.

Expert Tip

Because moisture pockets can be hidden in various spaces and thermal imaging cameras are often not able to detect all moisture pockets, they will often be combined with moisture meters by restoration specialists. The more tools that are used the more accurate the assessment.

Mistake: 4 Using Household Fans When Professional Drying Equipment is needed.

In many instances, property owners think that there is a solution to the problem simply by opening windows and setting up a few household fans in the affected area.

Greater air flow can help evaporate moisture on the surface; however, this does not typically evaporate structural moisture which is lodged deep within the material.

What are the drawbacks of household equipment?

Domestic fans simply circulate air.

They are not active dehumidifiers.

When humidity is high, water keeps moving back and forth between the building material, rather than out of the structure.

This can lead to uneven drying and extend the drying period.

Understand how professional drying works.

Carefully designed drying systems combine multiple types of specialized equipment and are employed by professional flood cleanup teams.

These often include:

•                   Industrial air movers

•                   Commercial-grade dehumidifiers

•                   Use of HEPA filtered air scrubbers (where required)

•                   Moisture monitoring equipment

Hygrometers are instruments used to measure humidity.

These systems do more than just move the air around; they manage both air movement and humidity to dry the structure faster, yet still protect the building materials.

Moisture Monitoring Throughout the Process

Once equipment is in place, the job of professional restoration is far from done.

Regular inspections are conducted, moisture readings are taken and equipment is moved and positioned, while affected materials are checked to ensure that they are being dried at the correct rate.

This scientific method helps avoid secondary damage and helps to ensure the building has reached acceptable moisture content prior to any repairs.

Mistake :5 Neglecting the initial signs of mold growth.

Mold is the most costly by-product of a water damage. Many people think it takes months for mold to grow, but under the right conditions microbial growth can start within the first 24-48 hours after moisture exposure. The remediation of water damage will be more involved and expensive if it has begun to grow.

Mold doesn't always appear as black spots on walls. Usually appears in areas where moisture is hidden and trapped, and may not be noticed until a thorough inspection is performed.

Common Places Mold Grows on the Internet.

Following the flood, mold is often found:

•                   Behind drywall

•                   Inside wall cavities

•                   Only apply anti-static dust to the bottom of carpets and carpet padding.

•                   Beneath timber flooring

•                   Around insulation

Mistake :6 Discard Damaged Items Without Documentation.

The first thought that crosses the mind of homeowner when he/she sees wet furniture, flooring or belongings is to discard them right away. Although sometimes it's important to remove contaminated material, if something is disposed of too early, there will be financial and insurance issues.

Document Everything First

Make pictures and videos of the following before starting large-scale clean-up operations:

•         Every affected room

•         Water levels

•         Damaged furniture

•         Appliances

•         Electronics

•         Flooring

•         Walls

•         Personal belongings

Make a list of what is damaged, and, if available, retain receipts and warranty information.

The documentation is used to support insurance claims and to document the state of the property prior to beginning restoration.

Not All Your Parts Have to be Replaced.

Many homeowners are astonished by the fact that a lot of items can be dried and cleaned professionally and can be restored.

Depending on the extent of the damage, restoration specialists may be able to save:

•         Hardwood flooring

•         Furniture

•         Cabinets

•         Important documents

•         Family photographs

•         Electronics

•         Rugs

•         Decorative items

The sooner these items can be treated professionally the better the chance that they will be successfully restored.

Mistake :7 Attempting to do too much work to repair large water damages yourself.

While DIY work can be used for many home projects, major water damage is not one of them.

The dangers of large-scale flooding are not just about getting rid of the water that can be seen.

Hidden Structural Damage

Structural parts can be compromised by water without any apparent signs of it.

These include:

•         Timber framing

•         Floor joists

•         Subfloors

•         Drywall

•         Ceiling materials

•         Foundations

Weak floors and damaged areas, if not properly inspected, can pose serious safety risks when walking.

Electrical Risks

The combination of water and electricity is very hazardous.

Flooded areas could include:

•         Energized electrical circuits

•         Damaged wiring

•         Wet electrical outlets

•         Faulty appliances

If the electrical systems are affected, the power should be left off until it has been checked by a licensed electrician.

Specialized Equipment Matters

Professional companies that clean up flood water are equipped with machinery that are designed for structural drying and moisture control.

This often includes:

•                   Water extraction units are mounted on trucks.

•                   Commercial dehumidifiers

•                   Industrial air movers

•                   Moisture meters

•                   Thermal imaging cameras

•                   HEPA air scrubbers

•                   Antimicrobial treatments

This equipment can remove the moisture much better than household equipment that is used for this task.

This section outlines the steps to take to minimize the likelihood of additional water damage.

While some types of flooding are unavoidable, homeowners can minimize their risk if they just maintain and act quickly enough.

Inspect Plumbing Regularly

A leak under sinks, around water heaters or behind appliances can be difficult to detect until serious damage happens.

Keep up Gutters and Downpipes.

During heavy rainfall, clogged gutters can leak and cause water to run out rather than off the roof and away from the house.

Improve Exterior Drainage

Keep landscaping sloped away from the structure and keep storm water drains clear to minimize water that pools around the foundation.

Test Sump Pumps & Backflow Devices

Where such systems are present, check and test your property before heavy rains to make sure they are working properly when they are most needed.

Conclusion

Water damage is not always visible. Water permeates through construction materials rapidly, compromises structure elements, ruins valuable possessions and provides excellent breeding ground for mold. The longer moisture is left untreated, the more damage it will cause to the safety, value, and cost of repairs to your property. Professional Flood Cleanup is more than just about the removal of standing water. It is a careful process involving inspection, water removal, structural drying, sanitization, moisture monitoring and restoration, based on industry best practices. Through timely and effective action, and by partnering with qualified restoration experts, homeowners can safeguard their investments, minimize future repair costs and rebuild their homes with peace of mind after flooding.