Category: Water Damage

Mistakes to Avoid When Doing Water Damage Cleanup

The best way to approach a water damage accident, whether big or small, is with the utmost urgency and care.  If you’re pretty confident in your Orange County water damage capabilities then, by all means, respond as quickly as possible to the water damage, as delayed cleanup can lead to even more damage to your property.

Read on to find out which mistakes you should avoid when doing a water damage cleanup in your home.

Not Recognizing a Dangerous Situation

One of the biggest mistakes that DIY-ers make when it comes to water damage restoration Orange County is taking the problem at face value. It’s important to not make any sweeping assumptions in a water damage situation, as a small puddle on the surface could be hiding some serious structural damage, chemical or sewage contaminants and even mold. That’s why it’s so important to start by evaluating the situation first before you start cleaning up to ascertain what recourse should be taken, and whether or not your expertise will be enough to sort the situation out or if you should call on the services of a water damage specialist.

Using the Wrong Equipment

The most common DIY tools used by homeowners to deal with water damage are the usual mop and bucket, or a wet-dry vacuum cleaner/sump pump for a more heavy-duty job. However, it’s important to note here that the absence of water doesn’t necessarily equate to a finished job, as there could still be water and moisture trapped inside the surfaces of your home.

The best way to figure out how much moisture is trapped inside the walls and floor surfaces is to rent moisture detection equipment and use it to determine the extent of the damage. This will inform your next step, which should be to completely dry out the entire area in order to avoid hidden damage and issues with mold in the near future.

The most efficient drying equipment that we recommend you use for this purpose is either a commercial grade fan or a dehumidifier, both of which you can rent out at a minimal cost.

Ignoring the Details

Oftentimes, it’s the small details that end up spoiling your water damage Orange County efforts. For example, things like removing the carpet padding, securing the furniture and other important valuables, keeping certain doors and drawers closed and others open, ending the drying process too soon, as well as making sure that everything is decontaminated in the entire area. These are all small details that many overlook.

Again, search for hidden damage using dedicated equipment, because moisture can easily hide your subfloors or drywall, causing a serious mold problem later that will take a lot of time and money to fix.  

As you can see, water damage repair Orange County is no easy feat, and is even harder when you’re a one-man (or woman) team. The best way to get the job done efficiently and properly is to act fast and pay attention to detail while making sure that you use the right equipment along each step of the way.