10 Vital Tips To Renovate Your Home After Water Damage 

Homeowners shudder at the thought of water damage and the renovations afterward. Water damage is costly, inconvenient, and time-consuming. While we hope your home never experiences water damage, in the unfortunate case it does, there are things you can do to lessen the damage. Luckily, the water damage restoration experts at Klean-Co are here to share a few critcal tips to renovate your home after water damage!

1. Trace The Water’s Source 

First, it is important to trace the source of the leak so you can decide exactly what you should do with the damaged area. For example, if the leak originates from a damaged pipe, you will need to stop the pipe’s leak before you can begin any other work. If the leak source is below-ground, you will need to use a sump pump to remove the water. If the water is coming from a clogged drain, you will need to unclog the drain.

Typically, there are three sources of water in your home. Clean water comes from rain or leaky pipes, gray water comes from appliances like your washing machine or dishwasher, and black water comes from your sewage lines. If the source of the water damage is due to clean or gray water, you can attempt to clean up the damage yourself. However, if it is due to black water, you will need to seek the help of a professional.

2. Get Rid Of The Water 

After you locate the source of the leak, you will want to mop up and remove as much of the water as possible. Depending on the severity of the water accumulation, you will want to ensure the water didn’t find its way across any electricity. It is crucial to shut down your electricity beforehand, just to be safe. Try to remove every drop of water as quickly as possible. This will reduce the damage the water can cause to your walls and floor. Move all furniture in the water-damaged area to another room in the house. 

In addition, quickly drying the area can limit mold damage, a tragic accomplice of water damage. Mildew growth can follow if water remains standing for more than 24 hours. It will spread quickly and seep into all kinds of home-building materials. Pay extra special attention to the porous materials as you mop up. After sopping up as much water as possible, turn on heavy-duty fans and dehumidifiers. If you can, open all the windows in the damaged room as well. 

3. Mold Inspection Time

It is imperative to check the water-damaged area for mold extensively. Cleaning the area as quickly as possible will help lessen the risk of mold damage. However, mold may grow if the water impacts your home for a long time without you knowing about it or if the damage is widespread. If you see any sign of mold, you must remove it immediately so it can’t spread further. We recommend using a mold-killing, antibacterial spray. While many people believe bleach kills mold, this is a common misconception. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agreed with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and recommended homeowners stop using bleach to kill mold. 

If the mold growth is extensive, call a professional mold remediation company immediately, as some forms of mold are toxic for humans!

4. Clean Up 

After the area is fully dry and you have checked for mold, you can start the cleanup process. Removing any dirt or organisms that grew in the damp environment is very important. Use antibacterial cleaners on the surface or a high-power washer to thoroughly clean the space and remove any non-visible mold spores. This is a crucial step, as mold spores could linger and start to spread and grow after you renovate if you do not adequately disinfect the impacted area.

5. Make A List

Once the house is thoroughly disinfected, it helps to create a checklist of all the areas that you still need to renovate. Prioritize your checklist in terms of what spaces you need to function and live comfortably in your home and what adds value to your home.

For example, if your home experienced water damage due to flooding, you may want to prioritize fixing the flooring and roof before you tackle the doors, windows, and laundry room.

6. Get Your Plumbing Inspected

If the water damage originated from a leaky pipe, then you must address it quickly and correctly to prevent it from happening in the future. Hire a reputable and trustworthy plumber to check the pipe and repair it.

7. Get A Hold Of Your Insurance Company

If you experienced critical damage to your home that will result in costly repairs, it is important to consult your homeowner’s insurance policy and call your insurance company. Water damage that comes from natural disasters like flooding or rain storms has the potential to devastate your home. Ideally, if you have homeowners insurance, you will save a lot of money and get the necessary repairs done for your home.

8. Replace Porous Areas and Wood

Many materials, not just non-porous things like brick and cement, make up a home. So specific material is more prone to water damage than others. You will most likely need to remove porous materials like wallpaper and carpets. In addition, wood floors are easily damaged when soaked with water. You may need to replace these porous materials.

9. Repair Drywall

Water damage often leaves a nasty (usually large) mark on your walls and ceiling, evidence that your home experienced water damage. You will often need to repair the drywall where the damage is prominent. Extend your repair to the area around the damage, even if the damage is not significant, because it will blend better and look seamless when you finish.

10. Seal Your Floors

Floors usually take the brunt of the water damage and are difficult to fix, depending on what type of flooring you have. If your floor becomes swollen and deformed, it is time to replace it. Once you replace your floors, sealing them is very helpful to help prevent any future water damage.

You Might Need A Professional Water Remediation Company

While we hope you found this list of critical tips to renovate your home after water damage helpful, water damage is often too much of a beast to tackle on your own. It is helpful to hire a reputable water damage restoration professional in your area. Professionals have the training, knowledge, and equipment to remove standing water, check for mold growth (and remove mold growth), dry the impacted material, and clean and restore your home. In Jacksonville, Alabama, Klean-Co is proud to offer licensed and professional water damage restoration and mold remediation services. Your home, your health, your finances, and your time are important to our team. This is why we strive to bring top-quality and compassionate care! Call us today!

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