Sure, heavy rainfall and flash floods are way beyond our control but that doesn't mean that we cannot keep our house away from water damage and that we could not do anything to avoid them.
What we don't realize is that not all cases of water damage are linked to floods. Sometimes it occurs like a stranger in the night. Before we know it, our kitchen, bathroom or even bedroom is flooded already.
Don't let this happen to you. The cardinal rule in going to a battle is to know who your enemies are. Don't let shock or extreme disappointment overpower you. Know the invisible causes of water damage this early so that when you see one or more signs that it would be coming, you have the world as backup.
Now, let's get to know the traitors. Pipes tubing and plumbing fixtures are the foremost suspects. Since they facilitate water flow, there is a big chance that water damage could come from them.
Not all plumbing materials are waterproof. Some or most of them is in the guise of being waterproof but when heavy circumstances call, the joints and hose adjustment would be rusty causing leaks that could outsource water.
Even worse, these pipes could often bore internal leaks that, if we are not that knowledgeable, may lead to sever to extreme water damage.
To check if there are leaks in your house, make sure that no one is using the water for a moment and that all faucets are closed. After making sure that your home is not consuming even a single drop of water, check or ensure that your meter is not ticking over, if it is, then an internal leak is just around the corner.
Another culprit is the malfunctioning drainage system, especially those of the bathroom and kitchen. Blocked drainage system is caused by improper garbage disposals that are hindering the flow of water from the sewer lines to the house, and vice-versa.
Another deceiving cause of water damage is the heating systems and air conditioning unit available in our house. Air conditioners and heaters, if not maintained carefully, might cause internal damage for cooling ducts giving way for water or moist to leak.
More often, neglected air-conditioning systems may lead to the proliferation of hazardous molds and mildew, one of the major problems that we have to face when our house is damaged by water.
Be wary too of other appliances, such as dishwashers, dryers, washing machines and many others that tend to crack over long period that it was not subjected to maintenance. Damaged appliances may cause water to trickle and if not repaired may cause a mini flood inside our house without us knowing.
So here are the main subtle villains that we have and now that we know them, we should device ways and means on how to get rid of them. A By getting rid of them we prevent water damage from happening in our houses.
Cleaning after water damage is a hard task especially if you do not know how to do it properly. Making sure that you are doing the right thing is important because it will help you salvage more things and get back into your normal routine faster. Cleaning and disinfecting after any water damage is also important because this will get rid of all the contaminants and harmful organisms that might be harmful to your health as well as the health of your family members.
Cleaning and disinfecting might be a challenging task for you so we will provide you the different tips in doing these tasks effectively.
* Before you start the cleaning up and disinfecting process, make sure that you are wearing protective clothing like rubber boots, disposable rubber gloves and a rain coat to prevent any part of your body from being in direct contact with the contaminated water.
* The first thing that you need to do is remove any visible dirt, mud or debris from your property. Invisible germs are hard to detect so you must use a disinfectant solution to make sure that the harmful organisms and bacteria are really eliminated.
* One of the biggest challenges that might come out from water damage is the growth of mold and mildew. You can use liquid bleach to prevent the mildew from spreading and doing more damage. Molds will just need 24-48 hours to grow so quick action is needed in preventing them from growing in your water damaged property.
* Dry your water damaged property immediately to inhibit the growth of molds. Molds can pose a serious threat especially to people with respiratory problems.
* If the water damage is caused by flooding, wait for the waters to recede before cleaning your floors and walls. Wash the area first with disinfecting solution, leave it for two minutes then rinse it with purified water.
* Rugs, carpets and upholstered furniture are very hard to clean and disinfect so it is best to seek the services of a professional restoration company to do the job for you. This might be an expensive option, but you can be assured that your things will be restored properly.
* If the exterior of your house is water damaged, wash it first with a hose and put disinfectant solution on it. Leave it for 10 minutes then rinse thoroughly.
* If you see standing water inside your property, remove it immediately. It can be a possible breeding ground for organisms which can pose a serious threat to your health.
* Throw away food that had been exposed to the water damage to avoid spoilage and possible food poisoning. * Open all the doors and windows so that natural air will come in and help dry the water damaged property. You can also use dehumidifiers and fans to help the drying process.
Now that you know the different tips and techniques in cleaning and disinfecting after water damage, make sure that you put these tips into action the next time that you are caught in this unfortunate situation to minimize the extent of the water damage.
Both Osmund Aft & Ramona Weisly are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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