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.
Ceiling Tiles, Cellulose Insulation, and FiberglassMolds exist naturally all around us. Molds play a vital role in the decomposition of organic waste such as in a compost pile. Other molds are essential in the creation of some of our finest foods, such as wine and cheese. But, when mold growth occurs in an inappropriate place or in extreme concentration, the health of our home and family can be at risk.Drywall and Gypsum BoardsCarpetsThe 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.If these materials are affected by water damage, the best practice is to discard and replace them.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.Upholstery and leather furnishingsIn most cases, testing to determine mold species is not necessary to solve the problem. If an individual has an extreme or specific health risk factor, testing may be of value in assisting the medical professional in addressing the specific health situation. If the outbreak of mold is extreme, testing maybe wise in ensuring safety during remediation. The choice to test or not should always rest with the homeowner or potential homebuyer, but the decision should be an informed one made with the assistance of an ASHI certified home inspector who has received additional training specific to mold management.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.As the tightness of our homes has increased in response to a desire to conserve energy, the unintended consequence has been the trapping of moisture. The increase in moisture in our homes has in some cases resulted in a relative humidity above the 60% level needed to sustain mold growth in interior spaces. In some cases, the moisture level of the interior spaces is below the mold growth threshold, but the exterior wall cavities retain the required moisture level for rapid mold growth within the walls. To make matters worse, this condition is also perfect for accelerated wood rot and termite infestation.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.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.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.Copyright � Florida HomePro, Inc. and Wallace J. Conway. All rights in all media reserved.
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.
Author: Leo Nov
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