Water damage in your home is a major concern. Not only can it damage your foundation and building materials such as drywall and flooring, but a wet basement, crawl space, or other area can introduce mold and mildew into the space. Mold thrives and spreads in moist environments, and it can be hazardous to your family’s health if it’s left there.
Even small amounts of water can damage your home. If you discover water damage, it’s important to take steps to clean up and remove the damaged material. Cleaning up and waterproofing your home to prevent further damage can protect your family from breathing in mold spores and protect your home and investment from damage and rot.
In some cases, water damage may happen suddenly and the cause may be obvious. For example, if a pipe in your home suddenly bursts or if your basement floods during heavy rains, it’s unlikely to go unnoticed.
However, in some cases moisture damage takes place over time, as small leaks or inadequate waterproofing slowly allow water to enter your home little by little. Here are some common signs of water damage to look for:
If you find water damage in your basement or in another area of your home, here’s what you should do to clean up and prevent the issue from happening again in the future.
Whether the culprit is a leaky pipe, a crack in the ceiling, or an unsealed window, the first step is to locate the source of the water. It’s important to ensure that water won’t continue to cause damage after you’ve taken steps to treat the affected area. If you’re unable to locate the source of the moisture, you can always call in a professional to assess the issue.
If you believe that the water damage is caused by faulty piping and you’re experiencing significantly decreased water flow, you might consider temporarily shutting off your home’s main water supply until a plumber arrives.
Mold, mildew, and damage to your home’s surfaces can begin to occur within 24 hours, so you’ll want to take steps to dry the area as soon as possible. Use towels to absorb any puddles on the floors and remove any damaged furniture from the area. You’ll also want to lift any rugs from the floors and hang them to dry or throw them in the dryer on high heat.
Once the area is as clear as possible, set up some fans and dehumidifiers to promote airflow and remove moisture from the walls and floors.
Water damage isn’t always obvious. In many cases, water can be trapped under porous materials such as floorboards, carpeting, and drywall. You’ll want to inspect these areas to locate any possible hidden moisture so that you can treat the area as quickly as possible.
There’s also a chance that you may find existing mold growth in your home, particularly if the damage was sustained over a long period of time. Not only will hidden mold have a negative impact on your health, it will also continue to spread to other areas of your home and make the removal process more difficult and more expensive.
Once you’ve located the water source and started the process of drying out the area, you’ll want to inspect any of your belongings that may have been damaged in the process. This includes personal items, furniture, and area rugs. While you may be able to restore them depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to ultimately discard them, especially if they show any signs of storing mold or mildew.
Identifying and completely removing mold isn’t always easy. That’s why it’s important to disinfect the damaged areas to catch any undetected bacteria. In most cases, bleach or another standard disinfectant should be enough to protect the areas and stop mold from forming.
Cleaning up after water damage has occurred can be time-consuming and expensive. At Rock Solid Waterproofing, we handle the process of inspecting and cleaning your home to ensure all water damage is removed. Then we thoroughly waterproof your home to ensure you don’t have to worry about ongoing issues with water or moisture.
Waterproofing a home requires a high level of expertise and extreme attention to detail. Our skilled team knows how to identify and solve water-entry issues, remedy structural deficiencies, and install effective solutions that target your home’s specific water-related problems and stand the test of time.
At Rock Solid, we don’t rely on passive waterproofing. Instead, our system – which includes sloped pipes leading to a sump basin and pump – actively and efficiently routes water away from your basement and foundation.
Are you dealing with a recent or ongoing water-damage situation in your home or on your commercial property? Rock Solid Waterproofing is here to help! We focus on identifying and correcting the root causes of problems, rather than just dealing with the symptoms.
Contact us today with your comments, questions, or concerns and to tell us about your situation to find out how we can help!
