Tips for Water Damage Restoration
If your home has been exposed to water due to a flood or act of nature, it is important that you begin the cleanup process right away. This will prevent formation of mold and mildew on surfaces of your home. Cleaning up a home after such a disaster is not easy, but can be done with the right materials, time and patience.
- Remove any excess water that remains in the home. Standing water will lead to mold growth so it is vital to get the water out of the home right away. Use a mop and clean towels to remove the remaining water that is in the home as soon as possible.
Open all of the windows and doors in the home and place fans throughout the home to help to ventilate the area and dry out any wet surfaces. It is important that the home receives adequate ventilation after being exposed to water to help prevent the formation of mold and mildew on surfaces throughout the home.
Wash any clothing or other fabric items such as small rugs or curtains in a standard washing machine with 1 cup of vinegar to remove any mold or mildew that may have formed on the fibers of the fabric. Run the washing machine a second time using the laundry detergent of your choice to neutralize the smell of the vinegar.
Discard any carpeting or other items in the home that are not salvageable. You will need to remove these items out of the home as soon as possible to help speed up the restoration process and prevent mold and mildew formation from occurring.
Place items that can not be washed in a washing machine in direct sunlight to dry. The sun will help to dry out the items as well as kill any mold that has begun to form. The UV rays from the sun are an effective way to kill both mold and mildew.