AFTER THE FLOOD

A flood can be devastating and terrifying, whether caused by a burst pipe, a 100-year storm, or an overlooked roof leak. After the first consideration, the safety of you and your family, the material damage has to be addressed. Some personal items, no matter how expensive, can be replaced. Family heirlooms and memories are harder to place a value on. The house itself is the major, immediate concern and fortunately there are proven methods toward conducting efficient repairs. It is absolutely integral to repair efficiency you report the problem as soon as possible so it can be addressed before lingering water causes more extensive damage.

Immediate Emergency Repairs

The first immediate emergency water damage repair is to stop the leak and remove standing water by either pumping it outdoors or drawing it into a wet-vac. Turning off the electricity is a safety measure most homeowners overlook, but needs to be done until an assessment of the extent of damage is completed. The repair crew at this point will begin cutting holes in the drywall and removing carpet to determine how far the damage reaches, and prepare to remove the water trapped inside the walls, floor, and ceiling.

Removing the Water

Removing the water trapped behind the drywall usually takes about three to five days. Unfortunately, it’s going to be a nuisance as it requires setting up industrial dehumidifiers and powerful fans to promote airflow through the wet areas. If the damage is limited to a specific room, you may be able to stay in your home but if the damage is throughout the house you may need to stay with friends or in a hotel for a couple of days because you won’t comfortably spend time in an area with the machinery running. Once the moisture is completely removed, you can move back in but expect a few more days of ongoing construction to finish repairing the house.

Finish Projects

Finishing the project to return your house to normal does take a while. Carpets can be replaced in a day, as can damaged electrical fixtures or outlets and trim carpentry. Drywall, on the other hand, requires at least two coats of spackling, a coat of primer, and one or two coats of paint. Each coat has to dry, so it’s a minimum of four days before the job is complete. Rugs are typically taken off-site for professional cleaning, and furniture may need to be removed for cleaning or new upholstery.