Indianapolis Water Damage Repair Steps and Tips

2/19/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage Repair Steps and Tips

Dealing with water damage in your Indianapolis home can be quite stressful and overwhelming. Whether it’s from floodwaters or a busted pipe or leaking appliance inside the home, water can quickly soak through and damage your ceilings, walls, and floors. If it’s not caught in time, you also have to deal with potential mildew and mold growth. Just a little bit of water can result in extensive damage.

In the post below, we will go over the typical steps one would take to clean up and repair any water damage. While minor water damage may be easy to clean up for DIY homeowners, many instances of water damage in homes can be difficult to completely clean up and repair by homeowners. If not completely cleaned up, it can result in further damage to your home over time. In these instances, it’s best to call a professional water damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Indianapolis West.

1. Know the Type of Water

When dealing with water clean up, there are three types of water. The first is “clean” water which is water from faucets and water lines. This can also be water from a leaky water supply pipe. This type of water is usually easy to clean up and not harmful. If the “clean” water mixes with a dirty carpet or floor, then it is considered “gray” water. Gray water can also come from a leaking dishwasher or washing machine or an empty toilet. It’s considered gray water because it can contain cleaning chemicals, dust, dirt, food debris, and other mild contaminants. Gray water can be potentially dangerous and harmful which is why it’s important to wear protective gloves when cleaning up gray water. Gray water can also speed up mildew and mold growth due to the contaminants in the water. The last type of water is called “black” water which would be from a flood or a sewer backup. This water can be very harmful and should only be cleaned up by professionals who have the tools and protective equipment to safely remove it.

2. Assess the Severity of the Damage

The first step you want to take is to ensure the water source (if any) is turned off and the power is turned off. You can then assess the damage that the water has caused. If the water has damaged the ceilings, floors, or walls, there may be further damage behind them. If the damage is on an upper floor, you will want to look for damage in the areas below the damaged floor. Water can make its way along your home’s structure and damage ceilings and walls on floors below the main damaged floor. Without professional tools and expertise, it can be difficult to pinpoint all of the water damage, especially when it is hidden behind walls and floors.

3. Check for Mold Growth

While you may not think that “clean” water can lead to mold growth, it can along with the other water types. Mildew and mold just need moisture and a dark area to grow. If your ceilings or walls are water damaged, you will probably have to remove the damaged area in order to completely dry out the water damaged areas and to know whether there is water damage to underlying materials like wooden studs or insulation. If your carpet is water damaged, you will probably have to pull the carpet to dry it and the carpet pad underneath it. The water can also soak into the wood base floors under the carpet. If your basement was flooded, then the wet drywall may have to be removed along the entire basement before mold starts to grow. If you spot mold growth, then you will want to have it cleaned up before it spreads.

4. Remove Damaged Drywall

As mentioned in the previous tip, any wet drywall will most likely need to be removed and replaced. Removing the drywall will also let one see if there is more water damage behind the walls and ceilings. Drywall acts like a sponge and will soak up the water. Removing the damaged drywall is one of the first steps a professional will take in order to stop the water from soaking up and damaging more drywall.

5. Dry EVERYTHING Out

Once the damaged drywall and ceilings have been removed, it’s now a race against time to dry everything out. If not dried out quickly, the water damage can result in mold growth and further damage. Mold can grow under carpets, on fabrics, on wood framing, and every other porous surface if not dried up quickly. At SERVPRO of Indianapolis West, they have industrial drying fans and dehumidifiers to quickly remove all the moisture and water from the damaged areas.

6. Disinfect Damaged Surfaces

To combat any mold growth, it’s important to disinfect the damaged area with a cleaner. Many homeowners use a water and bleach solution to disinfect water damaged areas. Just be careful to not accidentally bleach your carpet or floor from the cleaner. Unlike most homeowners, water damage restoration professionals will have commercial cleaners and disinfectants that are specifically formulated to treat water damage and mold damage.

7. Replace Walls, Ceilings and Floor

Now that everything has been dried out and completely cleaned, the next step is to repair any walls, ceilings, floors, or structures that have been removed. This can be a simple job or a huge job depending on how much water damage occurred. This is also a job that is not an easy task for most homeowners and even DIYers. Replacing ceilings without the right tools can result in an afternoon of frustration. It’s usually best to leave it to the pros.

8. Paint and Seal New Surfaces

The last step to take is to paint and seal all the new surfaces. Most surfaces, like walls and ceilings, may only require a couple coats of paint. If you replace or worked around any tile, you will want to caulk and seal the edges to prevent water from seeping behind your walls and causing water damage. You’ll also want to caulk around any toilets and sinks.

Trust the Water Damage Restoration Experts at SERVPRO of Indianapolis West

If you should suffer water damage to your Indianapolis, you can trust the experts at SERVPRO of Indianapolis West to quickly clean up and repair any water and mold damage. The pros at SERVPRO of Indianapolis West have years of experience dealing with water damage to businesses and homes around the Indianapolis area. They have the tools and know-how to handle any size disaster and are ready to respond quickly day or night. If your home should suffer water damage, give SERVPRO of Indianapolis West a call.