SERVPRO of Redondo Beach passes along tips to minimize the cost of Water Damage

4/18/2017 (Permalink)

We need rain in Southern California. While many will agree that the extra rain we had this season was a great change in climate… the worst part about our recent storms might be that much of the damage isn’t covered by insurance without flood coverage.

Now that the wet weather is gone, many homeowners are left wondering how to recover. If you’re dealing with flood damages, here are things you can do to minimize the costs of restoring your home.

Protect Yourself

There’s a good probability that the water affecting your home has been contaminated or is sewer water. Also, depending on how soon you get started, mold can be beginning to grow! Protective wear such as masks, gloves, & work boots should be worn.

Remove Damaged Belongings From Your Home

First, gather all damaged items & move them out to the curb. This task can be pretty nasty and time consuming, however if you feel you can get some of this done yourself, you will save some money. No time? Water mitigation professionals such as SERVPRO of Redondo Beach will do this for you.

Water Removal

In the event that the amount of water is minimal, you can grab a shop vacuum from your local store and extract as much water as you can yourself. If the amount of water in a home is too much to remove on your own… again, SERVPRO is here to help.

Demo Time

Please be advised, based on the year of your property was built, you may need to test for asbestos before you begin demo. Afterwards, if all is clear, you can personally remove affected flooring and drywall. Carpet and padding can be lifted and taken out of from your home. Affected baseboard and/or drywall can be cut out and trashed. Typically, with water loss, tile floors should be removed since its likely that water has gotten under tiles.

Clean & Disinfect

Once the water and wet contents are removed, it’s time to clean/ disinfect floors and walls. Pine Sol or Lysol mixed with equal part water will work fine. You may want to go over everything twice to be sure all remaining germs are gone from your home. It’s also common to use bleach for disinfecting, many professionals use green products that are very effective and safe to use as well. You should read the labels and wear gloves even if you are using green products.

Get the Air Moving

It only takes 48–72 hours for bacterial and mold growth to begin to spread. If a large amount of  microbial growth develops, it can increase remediation costs by thousands of dollars. It’s very important that the drying process start ASAP. Although box fans and dehumidifier are no competition for professional equipment, they can definitely help. Place several fans and a dehumidifier throughout the affected area. You may still need professional such as SERVPRO of Redondo Beach to completely dry out the affected areas but the less time you need professional equipment, the more money you keep in your pocket.

Spring Clean

Basements, closets and attics often become a place for those things that don’t get used regularly. Take time at least once a year to go through your these areas and get the old clothing and random clutter to the recycling bin. Should the time come, you’ll be glad that mess is not an issue.

Put Items Up High

Boxes and items on the floor can create one big problem when dealing water damage. It’s a great idea to invest metal or plastic shelving units. Wood is easily cleaned but may not be salvageable I affected.

 Storing In Bins

Using plastic or rubber bins as a means of storage is a smart idea. They provide an inexpensive and organized option for belongings you want to save. Be sure to secure lids properly.

The best advice I can give you is to use a reputable restoration company such as SERVPRO. Especially if you simply don’t have a the time to get the work done yourself.

Every day counts when dealing with water damage… you can rest easy knowing that your home will be restored properly.. “Like it never even happened.”