Your living room is perhaps one of the most important rooms in your home. It is not only the one place in your home where you spend time entertaining your guests but also where you and your loved ones spend time together outside the kitchen. Imagine waking up to find your beautiful living room carpet soaked in water, the paint on the wall peeling off, and a damp smell in the air. In this case, you need a Flood Services. They are really expert and help to maintain your home beautifully.
So, how do you repair the water damage in your living room? Apart from applying the best water damage restoration painting in the home, here are several ways to restore your living room to its former glory.
Look at the Color of the Water
It doesn’t make any sense to restore your living room after water damage without first locating the source of the leak. After all, you wouldn’t want all your hard work to be for nothing. Most homes have three different types of water, namely clean water, greywater, and black water.Also, you can prefer the CCTV Drain Surveys London which helps to manage your drainage system.
When clean water leaks, it does so through leaky pipes and rain. It is, however, easy for you to clean. Greywater comes from appliances like toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers. Unlike clean water, grey water contains contaminants, making it hard to clean up properly. Blackwater, on the other hand, comes from sewage and other contaminants and it is a health hazard.
The color of the water you spot will help you locate the source of the leak. It also lets you know how to clean up the damage left by the water without putting your health at risk.
Dry the Location
Once the leak has been handled, the next step is drying the location. Clear up the living room space, this will help make it easier to dry out the wet area quickly. Mildew and mold begin to grow within 24 hours if you leave the water on the floor.
You can use fans to dry up the area if a mop isn’t enough. But if the damage is extensive, you may have to hire a few industrial strength fans to help dry the area completely.
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Inspect for any Hidden Moisture
Once the water-damaged area is completely dry, you need to inspect your home thoroughly for any hidden moisture. Check the padding beneath the carpet and under floorboards to see if the water may have gotten into those places. If you spot any hidden moisture, place the fan in those areas to completely dry it out.
Check for Mold
Once every corner of your living room is dry, check the floor and walls for signs of mold. If you do find any signs of mold, handle it with care, as mold can be harmful and toxic to humans. If the mold issue isn’t extensive, you may be able to get rid of it without professional help. But if it is pretty extensive, you should call a water damage restoration company to remove the mold for you.
Remove the Damaged and Porous Materials
Not all your items may have survived water damage. So, it wouldn’t make sense to have such things back in your house. If porous materials like wood, fabric, carpet, insulation, and other similar items are soaked with water, throw them away. Water damages porous materials by warping or shrinking them.
Also, wet items act as the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. For a piece of furniture that you love and want to save, you can isolate and dry it out. But, if the damage is beyond repair, then it’s time to throw it away.
Repair Your Water Ceiling Damage
If your ceiling was exposed to water damage, you might want to consider repairing it first, as it may be at risk of collapsing or sagging. Also, if the ceiling was the source of the leak, it is best to find the actual location of the leak, and it won’t be far from the water stain. Take time also to check the structural integrity of your rafters and beams.
Replace Damaged Wood
Pry apart the damaged wood and thoroughly clean it underneath them before replacing it. This ensures that the wood you replace isn’t damaged by the moisture underneath.
Cleaning out water damage in any room is a stressful process. But, it needs to be done, as you wouldn’t want your entire home to collapse due to extensive water damage. Repairing your home after waiting for too long could mean parting with thousands of dollars.
