How do you clean up after a water leak?

Any water leak in your property is likely to leave a big mess. And so while your plumber will do the necessary repairs to have your plumbing system working well again, you’ll need to clean up and dry things out after the leak. Because water can quickly cause serious damage, the cleanup should start as soon as possible.

For a small leak affecting a small area, typically limited to one room, you can do the cleanup yourself. But if there is a massive leakage that is affecting several rooms or has gone unnoticed for over 8 hours, then you’ll need the help of a professional water mitigation team with specialized equipment.

So how do you clean up after a water leak?

  1. Your safety comes first

The water-damage structures may not be safe. So you must be completely sure that the structures are safe before you do any leakage cleanup. For example, if there is unusual noise or shifting, then you should leave the structure immediately and have professionals assess the structure.

But if the structure is safe, you can proceed with water leakage cleanup. And just before you do anything, wear rubber gloves, rubber boots, dust masks, and eye protection device to shield yourself from potential infection or injury. 

For a flood that is several inches deep and is above the power outlet line or has occurred near an electrical appliance, make certain to shut off power to the property to prevent the risk of electrocution. You may need to call an electrician if the circuit-breaker box is out of reach.

You may also need to call your plumber or gas utility to relight or replace submerged parts of your gas water heater to avoid disaster. 

  1. Salvage valuable items

With your safety guaranteed, your next step is to remove important possessions from the affected area. Take out furniture, soaked carpets and other removable items from the flooded area. 

If you do this quickly, you’ll be able to salvage a good number of your valuable items. Of course, some items may not be salvageable depending on how much water they absorbed. But removing them also clears up space, allows you to work more efficiently, and prevents the growth of mold and mildew.

Later on, you’ll need to disinfect these items—anything that touches standing water must be disinfected. Plus, you’ll need to keep your sofa and chair skirts and draperies from touching wet surfaces. 

  1. Removing standing water

Use towels and a mop to remove any water that remains on the floor. As an alternative, you can use a wet-dry vacuum to remove a couple of inches of standing water. You can rent a wet vacuum from your nearby hardware or home improvement store if you don’t own one. But if the standing water is deeper, call for professional help. 

For roof leaks, you can poke a hole in the sagging ceiling to prevent collapse then use a bucket to collect the draining water.

  1. Freshen things up indoors

Clear indoor and outdoor drains to ensure any standing water flows out. And if the weather permits, you should open doors, windows, closets, and storage spaces to bring in fresh, dry air. This will allow everything to dry thoroughly. Avoid occupying until 10 hours after drying is complete.

Also, run fans and a dehumidifier in the affected area to ensure moisture is completely removed from your home and does not end up penetrating furnishings. 

To disinfect affected surfaces, use hot water and soap to scrub walls, floors and any other surfaces people are likely to touch. Then sanitize the cleaned surfaces with a disinfectant solution prepared by adding 1 ounce household bleach to 4 gallons of water.

  1. Thoroughly inspect your property

You have dealt with the present problem, but you must also take steps to prevent a future leakage. So make sure to inspect the roof for leaks or damages, particularly areas around vents. Check gutters, downspouts, and all basement windows.

It’s equally important to check the grade of your property to ensure it slopes away from its foundation—use fill dirt to eliminate low areas. And seal basement cracks with hydraulic cement or masonry caulk. Elevating furniture and valuable items stored in basement blocks or shelves also helps in case of small leaks.

Make sure to check with your home insurance company the details of your policy coverage and the specific filing requirements. Keep all receipts with you. Likewise, only invite professional inspectors or engineers to your property when you suspect structural damage. For issues with trees, call a trained arborist.

Exceptional, professional water damage cleanup

For a massive plumbing accident with widespread water damage, you’ll need to contact a professional restoration company. At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we are skilled and experienced in flood water cleanup and will help you salvage precious items and prevent mold growth through a swift, methodical flood damage restoration process.

Call us if you suspect that water has seeped into the drywall or sub-flooring of your property.  And even in a case of a small leakage, you should call us to help you if the leak has taken several hours and porous materials have been exposed to water saturation. 

With our advanced imaging technology, moisture readers and professional-grade drying equipment, we will help prevent secondary damages from becoming a bigger issue. In turn, we help protect your health and ensure longevity of the structural integrity of your property. 

For more information on water damage restoration and mitigation, visit West Central Equipment and Restoration https://gowestcentral.com/

What is flood remediation?

Flood remediation refers to the activities carried out after a flood damage to reverse or cure the damage caused by unwanted water accumulation. It involves cleaning up, drying, and sanitizing affected areas. 

Usually, after a flood, the recovery process has three phases:

  1. Mitigating water damage, which involves tackling the damage left behind after the flood and minimizing further damage
  2. Flood remediation, which involves cleaning, drying, and sanitizing affected areas and materials
  3. Reconstruction work that ensures the property goes back to its pre-flood condition

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we know that most flood waters contain refuse, deceased animals, feces, soil and other debris. And this can and does leave a foul-smelling sledge on every surface of your home. 

Also, the water can collect behind walls and areas that you can’t see, resulting in dangerous mold. And worse, the leftover standing water can enable microbial growth in fabrics like carpet and even drywall.

So we will act swiftly, boldly and professionally to eliminate the health threats that the flood water may bring to your home. After you contact us, we will:

  1. Gather information from you over the phone and make arrangements to reach your property immediately.
  2. Quickly and accurately assess the flood damage situation as soon as we arrive in order to know what activities to prioritize.
  3. Determine the scope of work required
  4. Ask you to sign a work authorization form to give us legal access to your property
  5. Extract standing water quickly
  6. Go on with the remediation and restoration work

So how is flood remediation done?

  1. Salvaging items

Part of flood remediation is saving and cleaning items from flooded areas.  Of course, certain items such as pillows, box springs and mattresses are porous and will be full of multiplying microbes so they can’t be restored. We’ll help you itemize such items for insurance purposes before we dispose of them.

But for items that can be salvaged from your property, we will quickly remove, clean, and store them before we proceed with other remediation steps.

We will make sure to salvage precious items including:

  1. Solid wood furniture that isn’t padded or cushioned
  2. Photographs and critical paper documents
  3. Drapes, clothing, area rugs, and other fabrics
  4. Large appliances that have not been submerged
  5. Various electronics, including computers
  6. Cleaning affected areas

Protecting themselves with gloves, goggles, boots, gowns, and respirators, our flood remediation technicians will move in quickly, turn off gas and electricity and begin the cleanup process. We will employ water extractors, pumps or vacuums to remove all standing water from cavities and from all soaked materials.

Materials that may stain the floors and walls are also removed. They may include curtains, rugs, pot plants, wood, books, and metal furniture. Mud is shoveled out, and the walls and floors are scrubbed before being disinfected with bleach solution. 

  1. Drying and dehumidifying the space

When there is minor flooding, the drying process takes a few days. But in case of a major flooding, the drying process may take a week or longer and may require sophisticated equipment.  

In short, wet-dry vacuums are used to thoroughly clean and dry the carpet, floors and walls. Then air dehumidifiers are placed in affected areas to dry them quickly and prevent mold growth. Mild chemical treatment may also be used to kill existing mold, preventing potential spread.

For porous materials such as drywall and wood, extensive structural drying techniques are used. A combination of centrifugal air movers, heavy-duty dehumidifiers, aerodynamic axial fans, and hardwood floor drying systems are used.

  1. Sanitizing everything

Since flood water is unsafe, everything that comes into contact with it should be sanitized. Even if your home was flooded with gray water that did not contain pathogens, we will still sanitize to guarantee safety. We use powerful disinfectants during this process, but are quite careful on where and how we apply disinfectant solutions on various items or surfaces, especially wooden furniture.

Timely flood damage remediation

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we offer emergency flood damage remediation 24/7. We’ll reach you quickly to help with your flood damage emergency, mitigate the damage, and embark on remediation and restoration. 

Our process involves:

  1. Initial inspection
  2. Water extraction
  3. Cleaning of structural elements and furnishings
  4. Deodorization
  5. Dehumidification (drying by air movement)
  6. Structural repairs
  7. Mold prevention
  8. Restoration

We are proud of our advanced equipment and supplies, such as:

  1. Moisture meters for detecting wet areas
  2. Professional pressure cleaners
  3. Self-contained vacuum equipment
  4. Negative air machines with HEPA filters
  5. Mold-killing and antibacterial solutions
  6. Fans, air dehumidifiers, and heaters
  7. Generators (when power is not available)

You can count on us to do a great job. For more information on flood damage remediation and restoration, visit the site “West Central Equipment and Restoration.”

What Do I Do If My House Floods?

Typhoons and heavy rains are not the only reason why there’s flooding in your house. Your house may flood due to an overflowing toilet, a burst pipe, or a breakdown of your washing machine.

Untidy and dangerous

When your house floods, you need to quickly bring the situation under control to prevent potential exposure to contaminated water or widespread damage to your property and belongings.

Flood water is usually not clean and may contain harmful bacteria, viruses, molds, fungi, fecal matter, chemicals, dissolved gasses, and even snakes or other creatures. 

While the most immediate risk posed by floodwater is damage to your property and loss of possessions, it can also create health risks for your family.

The substances in flood water can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, eye irritations, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. 

What should you do after a flood in your house?

If it is a massive flood, evacuate your family to a safe place and wait until your home is safe again to re-enter. 

For a small flood, you will need to wear protective gear, stop the water from the source, remove the water, and dry your house. Wearing protective equipment such as rubber gloves and boots will protect you from injuries and bacteria-filled water.

Since water and electricity are a dangerous mix, you should turn off electricity in your house before you start removing the water. Ensure the electrical breaker is off before you step on wet areas or handle any electronics and appliances connected to electricity. If turning off the power in your house means standing on wet areas or in contact with plugged appliances and electronics, call an electrician to turn the power off.

Prepare to make your claim

Before you remove the floodwater, remember to document the damage first. Documentation is crucial when making an insurance claim. It will show your home insurance provider the specific damages to your property and belongings. Take several photographs and video footage of the damages. 

Also, create a list of what’s damaged and indicate whether it can be repaired, cleaned, or disposed of. Note the value of every item and take as many photos before, during, and after the cleanup. With these records, your adjuster will have an easy time during a damage assessment.

Call your home insurance provider to send an adjuster to your house as you document the damage. The insurance adjuster assigned to your claim will help you quantify the damage, confirm that the damages are covered and assist you in finding contractors to repair your home.

Sometimes you may pay for emergency expenses to bring the flood under control.

For example, you may pay a plumber to shut down the water supply. When you pay for any emergency services, keep the receipts. Your home insurance provider will likely pay for the emergency mitigation expenses as part of your overall claim. Some insurers will cover additional costs if the flood requires you move outside your home.

What is the best thing to do after flooding?

Contacting a reputable flood damage restoration company is the essential first step, depending on the extent of water damage. Whether it originates from a broken pipe, a leaking appliance, sewer backup, a flooded basement, or flooding after a fire has been extinguished, it brings serious problems that will need to be addressed. 

If you don’t remove the floodwater immediately, mold can begin to grow within as little as 24 hours, even from small amounts of moisture.

You need to deal with it quickly and effectively to prevent widespread damage. A flood restoration service will promptly respond, clean up the water, dry and disinfect the area, and make the necessary repairs within a short time.

Water and moisture can damage hardwood floors fast, so the restoration process should begin as soon as possible. Flood damage restoration should begin within the first 24 to 48 hours after the disaster. Professional service will ensure a safe and correct water removal as soon as you call them to your property.

When the flood is due to gray or black water from sinks and sewers, you must avoid direct contact with the water. Working with a professional flood damage restoration company with the right expertise and protective equipment will help to clean the water safely.

In some cases, you may need to remove flooring, drywall, and insulation to prevent mold and mildew from spreading in your home. Furniture may also need to be dried, cleaned, or thrown away, depending on the extent of the damage. 

When professionals carry out these tasks, they’ll also try to salvage valuable belongings, reduce losses, and minimize the overall cost of the damages and restoration.

Lastly, working with a flood restoration company will enable you to get the right advice. After water damage, you will need to determine whether your drywall, wet carpet, appliances, or furniture are destroyed or can be reused. 

The flood damage restoration professionals will inspect your property and give expert advice on the extent of damage, necessary repairs, and measures to prevent future floods.

Dedicated, professional flood damage restoration in Lecanto, Florida

Do you live in flood-prone areas in Florida? Would you like professional assistance with water damage restoration? 

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we provide expert flood damage restoration services throughout Florida. 

We offer:

  • 24/7 rapid response
  • Proper inspection and damage assessment
  • Meticulous water removal and extraction
  • Complete dehumidification
  • Cleaning and sanitizing
  • Mold testing and remediation
  • Air quality testing
  • Debris removal
  • Restoration of damaged areas

Our extensive experience tackling insurance claims will help you get a more accurate and fair settlement claim from your insurance provider. 

Call us today for more information on flood and water damage restoration!

What to do if your house floods

Flooding can be damaging and devastating. Whether due to heavy rains, a sewer backup, malfunctioning sump pump, or a burst pipe. Not to mention you will be exposed to contaminated water, damage your valuable belongings, or suffer long-term structural damages.

What should you do if your house floods?

1. Act swiftly to prevent further damage

At the first sign of water in your house, cut off the power connection to all low-lying power outlets to minimize the risk of electrocution. 

Unplug and move all machines and equipment such as heaters, freezers, lamps, and power tools to a safer location. 

With large appliances, such as dryers, washers, and freezers, unplug and put them on blocks to keep them out of the rising water.

If your house has been hit by a major flood that makes it entirely unsafe to stay, evacuate your family to a secure location. You can monitor the flood until it’s safe to return.

Upon return, turn off the power to avoid electrocution. Wear protective clothing such as rubber boots and gloves as you reenter your home to shield yourself from the contaminated water and the debris in it, even sewage.

If it floods in your home while you’re away or asleep, contact your local utility company to help cut the power to your home. Do not touch electrical devices or panels with your feet in the water. 

Keep your electric sump pump plugged in—you can use a backup generator for this. You may also need a backup generator to power water vacuums, additional pumps, and lights.

2. Call your insurance company

Your homeowner insurance is likely to cover flooding—most do cover floods due to backed-up city sewers, storms, storm drains, burst pipes, and broken sump-pumps. 

Upon calling, your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess and determine the extent of damage and whether it is covered. For covered damages, you are paid as soon as they are ascertained.

Remember, flood damage repairs may be too costly. You need the insurance payout to get your house back in order with less financial burden. 

The adjuster may not arrive as soon as you call. Make sure to document everything, including their values, and to take as many photos as possible before, during, and after cleanup. 

These will be useful when the adjuster assesses the damage.

3. Stop the water

Quickly identify the source of the floodwater and find a way to stop more water from coming in. Unless the flood is an act of nature, you can control the water at the source. 

For instance, you can turn off the main water valve to your house to prevent further flooding.

If your sump pump is broken or malfunctioning, you can replace it to keep up with continuing rains and prevent further damage to your basement, garage, crawl space, or main floor. 

And if the flood is due to a burst pipe, you can fix the plumbing as soon as possible.

4. Removing the water

The process used to remove the water depends on the extent of flooding. You can bail water out using buckets and bins or hoses to drain considerable amounts of water. 

As the water starts to recede, you can use a wet vacuum to suck the remaining water and moisture from your carpets and floors. 

And in case of minimal flood damage, you may just mop up the mess.

5. Drying the home

Standing water may be successfully removed from your home, but you still need to deal with the dampness and wetness. 

If the power supply is restored, you can use your air conditioning and portable fans to dry the wet areas. 

And to deal with closed spaces, like basements and crawl spaces, dehumidifiers are ideal. Dehumidifiers are designed to remove excess moisture in the air, dry out your home, and minimize potential damages.

6. Cleanup

After you’ve called your insurance provider and they have allowed you to go ahead with cleaning, you can start post-flood cleanup, either doing it yourself or involving a professional. 

Cleanup will involve determining what can be salvaged or thrown away, areas that can be repaired, and how to minimize the effects of future floods.

If you have to clean your house on your own, make sure to wear proper protective gear, such as waterproof boots and waders. 

Carefully and thoroughly remove the water, salvage your belongings, dry out the affected areas, and disinfect the spaces and objects touched by the water. 

Dry your carpets and rugs as soon as possible to prevent mold and mildew. 

All the windows should be open to allow faster drying and prevent mold formation.

If you’re overwhelmed or lack the skills and equipment to deal with the flood damage properly, call a flood damage restoration service to help with the cleanup. 

Professional cleaners will arrive promptly, properly remove the water using industrial-grade equipment, carefully salvage your valuable belongings, completely dry the house, and repair the damages.

If your house is likely to flood again in the future, flood damage restoration professionals will do their work in a way that mitigates the damage that the next flood can cause. They do this by installing property flood resilience measures.

Want to work with a reliable flood damage restoration company? 

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we have the right equipment and personnel to deal with any commercial or residential property flooding effectively. We offer 24/7 emergency flood damage restoration and promptly respond after your call to ensure the least possible damage.

Trust us to identify the cause of the flood quickly, stop the water flow at the source, remove the water, salvage your items, dry your house, repair the damages, and undertake steps to minimize damages from future floods. We can also assist you with your insurance claims. 

Call us today for more information on water, fire, and flood damage restoration in Lecanto, Florida.

What is the best thing to do after flooding?

You don’t have to reside in a “flood zone” to experience a house flood. Your house may flood due to an overflowing toilet, a burst pipe, or breakdown of your washing machine.

When your house floods it’s essential to quickly bring the situation under control to prevent potential exposure to contaminated water or widespread damage to your property and belongings.

Flood water is usually not clean and may contain harmful bacteria, viruses, molds, fungi, fecal matter, chemicals, dissolved gasses, and even minor wildlife life snakes or other creatures. Therefore, while the most immediate risk posed by flood water is damage to your property and loss of possessions, it can also create a potential health burden on your family.

In fact, some of the substances in flood water can cause wide ranging health problems including respiratory problems, skin and eye irritations, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. 

Plus, untreated water damage can destroy the structural integrity of your home’s structure.

What should you do after a flood in your house?

If there is a massive flood, the first priority is to evacuate your family to a safe place and wait until your home is safe to re-enter. But for a small flood you can engage immediately and proactively.  Secure and wear protective gear, identify and then stop the water from the source, remove the water, and dry your house immediately. Wearing protective gear such as rubber gloves and boots can protect you from injuries and risk of infection from bacteria filled water.

Since water and electricity are a dangerous mix, you should cut off electricity in your house before you begin removing water. Make certain the electrical breaker is off before you step on wet areas or handle any electronics and appliances connected to electricity. If turning off the power in your home means standing on wet areas or contact with plugged appliances and electronics, call an electrician to turn the power off.

Prepare to make your claim

Before you can remove the flood water and begin the restoration process, quickly and thoroughly document the damage. Careful documentation is critical when making an insurance claim demonstrating to your home insurance provider the specific damages to your property and your belongings. By taking extensive photographs and video footage, you can capture the damage as vividly as possible.

Also, create a list of what’s damaged and indicate whether it can be repaired, cleaned or disposed of. Note the value of every item and take photos before, during and after the cleanup. With these records, your adjuster will have an easier time establishing concrete damages during assessment.

As you document the damage, immediately call your home insurance provider to send an adjuster to your house. The insurance adjuster assigned to your claim will quantify the damage, confirm that the damages are covered, and assist finding contractors to repair your home.

Sometimes, you may have to pay for emergency expenses to bring the flood under control. For example, you may have to pay a plumber to shut down the water supply. In addition, if you pay for any emergency services, make sure to retain the receipts so your home insurance provider will be obligated to pay for emergency mitigation expenses as part of your overall claim.

24 Hour Emergency Fire and Water Damage Restoration

You’re a business owner and you want to partner with a fire and water damage expert that can provide a quick remedy with the least possible downtime to your business?

Or you are a homeowner who cares about the comfort of your loved ones should a fire or water damage occur in your property?

If so, you can trust West Central Equipment and Restoration with your fire and water damage restoration. We offer a 24-hour emergency restoration service that will help repair and restore your home with minimal downtime and losses.

Need immediate help ?

A fire on your property is a scary and an ultimately destructive affair. Uncontrolled fire can quickly spread through the property, destroy valuables, and inflict immense structural damage. 

And since the fire is likely to expose and destroy your property’s water system, you can expect it to be accompanied by water damage, making the situation more overwhelming and stressful. And of course water can be absorbed by porous building materials, worsening the damage and causing mold growth.

So when your home or business is impacted by fire or water disaster, you need immediate help to mitigate potential damage quickly.  You also need the right calibrated intervention to tackle the soot, smoke, residual odor, water damage, and any other damages beyond the fire or water, including structural damage from the fire extinguishing efforts, together with smoke damage.

Having a trusted restoration company you can reliably turn to at the hour of need can make a huge difference. 

Why Go West Central 24-hour emergency fire and water damage restoration?

Working with a company that does all critical aspects of fire and water damage restoration will save you money, time and hassle. You’ll have trained experienced professionals assess the fire or water damage promptly, help you understand the extent and severity of the damage, and guide you to make the best decisions on how to restore your property.

Go West Central also uses the most targeted and advanced equipment to detect hidden moisture, extract standing water, clear smoke, soot and foul odor, and repair damaged areas. And critically, it will massively improve the chances of having your insurance claim fully covered.

In fact, as soon as your property is declared safe to enter after a fire or water, you can expect our technicians to quickly inspect the damages and make a full assessment. And if any parts—doors, walls, windows or sections of the roof—have been compromised by the fire, we’ll work to quickly to secure the property to protect your property from further damage.

You can trust the professionals at Go West Central to cover exposed access points, like missing walls, blown out windows, doors, holes in the roof to minimize both damages and expenses to your home or business.

Why Go West Central Equipment and Restoration ?

At Go West Central, we offer a full service 24-hour emergency fire and water damage restoration to homes and businesses throughout Florida and the southeastern United States. You can rely on our certified repair technicians that are trained in fire, soot and smoke damage repair to complete the necessary repairs after the fire, using proper protocol to carry out the repairs until you’re satisfied. Plus, we use powerful water extractors and dehumidification equipment to completely dry the affected areas

The goal of our 24-hour fire and water damage restoration is to protect your investments and your health. So our professionals will arrive as quickly as possible, contain the fire or water from spreading, minimize the damage, and effectively restore the damaged areas. We use time-tested, effective and successful restoration solutions.

Our technicians specialize in business and residential fire and water damage restoration, with training and experience on restoring salvageable items, minimizing the damage, speeding up the drying process, and accurate documentation of the entire process. That’s why we have earned the reputation as a trusted leader in fire and water damage, specialty cleaning, mold remediation, and so much more.

Want to work with a 24/7 fire and water restoration service that you can trust? At Go West Central Equipment and Restoration, you can count on us. We’ll respond immediately to your fire or water damage emergency. 

 

What to Do After a Flood

It is quite distressing to find your home getting flooded after a long day at work. Torn between being exasperated and panicked about stopping it, what is the best course of action to take?

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we understand how devastating a flood can be. We have worked with homeowners for many years in emergency flood situations. We know that only swift, coordinated action can prevent the horrors associated with floods.

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So what should you do when your house floods?

  1. Stop the water from the source

You won’t do anything consequential if you allow more water to rush into your home. You will be overwhelmed in no time.

Therefore, the first step must be to identify and stop the source of the water. Unless the flooding is due to an act of nature, like extreme weather, you must immediately locate the source and turn it off or seal it up. If that would take time, turn off the main water valve to your house.

  1. Turn off electricity

You have cut off the water supply, but there is already water in your house. Unfortunately, water and electricity are not good friends. And if electricity is still on, the risk of electrocution is quite high. It is imperative that you turn off all electrical systems right away.

You don’t have to expose yourself by walking through the water to reach the fuse box. If you must step through the water to get to the fuse box, call an electrician to handle it for you.

Additionally, you shouldn’t use electrical appliances or equipment while standing in the water or if the items are wet.

  1. Evacuate the premises

When your home is flooded, it is more likely that the water will be contaminated and hazardous. The house must be evacuated to avoid exposure to contaminated water or increased risk of drowning.

Get everyone out safely and unhurt, and take them to a dry, secure spot outside your house—probably in the backyard or the home of a neighbor or friend.

If the flooding is due to a natural disaster, find a temporary shelter and relocate everyone to that place as soon as possible.

  1. Seek immediate help

Now that you’ve evacuated everyone, you must begin the restoration process. But don’t do it alone; you need help. If you are a renter, call your landlord to inform him about the flooding.

But if you are a homeowner, call your insurer and describe the extent of the water damage your home has suffered. Make sure your insurer clarifies whether you need to wait for an adjuster to visit your home before cleanup and repair can start.

  1. Document the situation

Before you have the place cleaned up, proper documentation of the situation is necessary. You can do this by writing short notes about the situation, including the rooms and items affected and the severity of the damage.

You should also use your cell phone camera to take photographs and record videos of all aspects of the flood damage.

You will need a detailed account of the flood damage to proceed with your insurance claim. Make sure to wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves, waterproof boots, and waders, as you move around to document the situation.

  1. Clean your home

Once your homeowners insurance company has given you the go-ahead, you can start the cleanup. The faster you do this, the higher the chances of reducing mold, rot, and bacteria. Swift water extraction and the drying of affected areas also prevent more costly problems down the road.

However, flood cleanup is a long and hectic process involving water removal, salvaging personal items, drying the space, and disinfecting affected areas and objects touched by the water. You won’t be able to do it alone, especially if the affected area is large.

Call an emergency flood damage remediation service to help you clean the place.

  1. Prevent mold damage

Flooding can cause direct structural damage and loss of items, but if the water sits in your house for more than 24 hours, it runs the risk of secondary damage due to mold growth.

In some cases, there is a growth of black or toxic mold that has long-term adverse effects on health.

Mold growth is prevented through quick removal of water and drying of affected areas. If several areas of your home are affected, you need a professional water damage restoration service to remove the moisture and dry up the place.

If only a small area is affected, you can remove the water yourself and clean the place with a stronger cleaner, such as a bleach solution.

Timely and effective water damage restoration

No matter the cause of flooding, prompt action is necessary to protect your family, prevent health hazards, save your home, and recoup the cost of repairs as much as possible from your insurer.

Having a flood damage remediation service handle the situation helps to minimize the losses related to flood damage.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we offer a 24/7, all-year professional emergency flood damage restoration service.

We have skilled and experienced technicians with the capacity to quickly identify the source of the water, stop the inflow, clean up the place, dry all affected items and areas, and prevent mold growth.

We will arrive at your home soon after you call us and work professionally to restore your home.

Call us today for flood damage remediation in Lecanto, Florida, at (352) 270-8417.

What to do when your house is flooded?

Flooding in your home is a distressing and devastating circumstance. It is never easy to see your home that you’ve worked hard on building get damaged, or worse, destroyed.

When your home gets flooded, these damages could happen in just a few hours, your drywall may begin to bulge and break, and your doors, windows, and wood flooring may swell and warp. Your cherished furniture may also suffer damages, and the metal surfaces in your home corroded.

When floodwater sits in your home for more than 24 hours, mold and mildew will also start to grow and spread, and indoor air quality will get poorer.

Getting your home flooded can lower the value of your property and quickly render the home unsafe and uninhabitable.

We can’t prevent these things from happening, especially natural disasters. But, what we can do is some damage control.

What should you do after a flood?

  1. Make sure you’re safe

When your home floods, you should first ensure your safety and that of your family. If the flooding is not severe and the home is habitable, you should still take immediate precautions to keep yourself and your family from injury within or around the property.

You can check for visible structural damage, such as cracks, warping, cracked foundation elements, and holes so that you know the safe and unsafe areas of the building.

If you suspect damage to water, gas, electric, or sewer lines, then you should call your utility company immediately.

Turn off all electrical and water sources within the home. Even if the power is not operational, it is advisable to turn off the main fuse box. This ensures everyone’s safety from electrocution.

Throw away food that has been contaminated by the water, especially if the water is high enough to reach your refrigerator or pantry cabinets.

Additionally, thoroughly wash the glasses, dishware, and flatware that might have come into contact with the floodwater.

Suppose your home is badly flooded and not habitable. In that case, you should leave and only return to deal with the aftermath when it is safe to handle the situation. Speak with your insurer about provisions the company will make for temporary housing as your home is being repaired. Plus, avoid driving through flooded areas, and use flashlights when moving around dark rooms.

When you reenter the flooded home, make sure to wear protective gear, such as rubber boots and gloves. Doing so will protect you against potential injuries and infection due to the chemicals and items the flooding may have washed in. Make sure that you’re not immersed or near the floodwater for an extended period.

  1. Stop the water

Once you are safe, the next step should be identifying the water source and stopping it from pouring in more. The sooner you stop the water from coming in, the quicker you clean up and repair the damages.

The flooding may be due to heavy rains, sewer backup, burst pipes, or a malfunctioning sump pump. If it is due to a burst pipe, you will need to fix the plumbing as quickly as possible to minimize the damage. And if it is due to a broken or malfunctioning sump pump, you will need to replace it to prevent further damage to your garage, crawl space, basement, or main floor.

No matter the cause, you should go about it quickly to minimize water damage and, in turn, make the cleanup and repair process easier and faster.

A great way of doing this is by hiring a water damage restoration service.

West Central Equipment and Restoration has vast experience handling flooding and natural disasters–skilled in identifying the water source and safely stopping the inflow.

  1. Document the damage

Before you remove the water and conduct any necessary repairs, make sure to document the damage through photos and videos. The documentation will help your insurer to understand the extent of the damage and make adequate compensation. Remember, if you begin to remove the water or make repairs before you take photos and videos of the damage, then you’re likely to lower the extent of your coverage.

It would help if you also secured your home to prevent more damage. You can do this by putting boards over broken windows and tarping the roof if it is damaged.

Again, take photographs as proof to your insurance company that you’re doing everything possible to protect your home from additional damage.

  1. Call your insurance provider

Many homeowner insurance policies cover flooding due to storms, backup city sewers and storm drains, burst pipes, and broken sump-pump.

Immediately alert your insurance provider of the flood and have a claims adjuster sent to see and assess the damage and determine if the loss is covered. You will need the insurance payout to help you get repairs and restore your home.

When you call, let your insurance company know the state of your home and any repairs you intend to make. Then follow the company’s direction about whether or not to wait for an adjuster to inspect your property before your begin any repairs. Some home insurance policies offer broader coverage ranging from home repair to reimbursements including hotel, food, and other living costs if the house is in unlivable condition.

Make sure to document the damage and the conversations at every stage of the process.

The damage documentation should include pictures and recorded videos of the building itself, the land around it, and your damaged personal possessions.

  1. Remove the water

Once you ensure no more water can come in, it is time to remove the water already inside. You may need to bail water out using bins and buckets. You can also use hoses to drain large amounts of water from your basement.

When the amount of water starts to recede, you will need to use a wet vacuum to suck out the remaining water and moisture from your carpets and floors. But if the damage is minimal, you may only need to mop the mess up.

  1. Dry up your home

With the water removed, your items will still be damp. You may need to use air conditioning and portable fans to dry the wet areas of the home. If you’re dealing with closed-up spaces such as basements and crawl spaces, you’ll need to use dehumidifiers to remove the excess moisture from the air.

  1. Do a post-flood cleanup

Now that the water is gone, the home is dry, and your insurance company has assessed the damage, it is time to do a post-flood cleanup. You can do this yourself, but it is advisable that you call in professional help.

The cleanup process involves identifying items you can salvage and throwing away all that are too damaged or no longer safe to use. You may need to remove flooring, drywall, and insulation to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Plus, you may have to dry, clean, or throw away some furniture, depending on the extent of the damage.

  1. Structural repairs and renovation

Flooding sometimes leaves behind a trail of damage. You may have broken windows as the water rushed in, broken items, or damaged flooring that needs replacing.

You may also need to have delicate equipment such as television sets, game consoles, computers, appliances, and stereos checked by a professional before plugging them back into a power source.

Likewise, you should remove harmful debris, board up windows and tarp roofs to prevent further damage.

If you suspect structural damage, you may need a flood damage restoration service to determine if the walls and floors need replacing.

A reputable restoration service such as West Central Equipment and Restoration, Lecanto, FL, will identify the cause and source of the flooding, conduct minor repairs, and refer you to a reliable contractor if there is a need for a major renovation.

  1. Mitigate mold growth

Mold growth after flooding typically begins within 24 to 48 hours.

Start by carefully poking holes at floor level in the drywall to allow water trapped behind to drain.

Remove wet contents such as bedding and carpeting. During the restoration process, items that have been wet for less than 48 hours can be salvaged.  

Before you remove any items, notify your insurance company so that you are not affecting your coverage. You should also photograph and record videos of the flood-soaked things.

It would be best to take photographs before removing wet wallboards and baseboards, as your insurer will want to see the extent of water damage to the walls.

To control mold growth, clean affected surfaces with a non-ammonia detergent or pine oil cleaner and then disinfect them with a 10% bleach solution. Test the cleaning solution on a small area of the item or the site you are cleaning to ensure it doesn’t cause staining or fading.

Get professional help

Most water damage and flood situations need an immediate response by professionals. With their skill and experience, flood restoration technicians will help stop the floodwaters quickly, minimize the water damage, and take quick, effective steps to prevent further damage. As a result, they’ll help you reduce the overall restoration cost.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, Lecanto, Florida, we offer a 24/7 all-year flood and natural disaster restoration service. We are proud of the results we’ve achieved for our clients—stopping and extracting the water quickly, salvaging valuable items, minimizing the losses, and preventing mold growth.

We understand that flooding is a stressful and overwhelming situation that requires a well-coordinated response.

We have designed our response to be as swift and methodical as possible to help get your property back to prime condition. We will do the job and make life a lot easier for you.

Call us today through the number +1 (352)-270-8417 to learn more about how our restoration service can help you.

The Risks of DIY Sewage Flood Cleanup in Your Home

A sudden break or obstruction to the flow of wastewater from your home can be disastrous.

Whether it is due to a broken pipe or a clog in the pipeline, it would lead to the wastewater flowing back up into your home instead of flowing to the community sewer system.

Your home can be quickly overwhelmed with fetid water, bacteria, waste, and other dangerous and unpleasant elements in the sewage.

Need for immediate cleanup

Sewage flooding poses serious health risks to both humans and animals. It is critical to clean up the water immediately.

However, while you can tackle minor sewage flooding on your own, massive or widespread flooding comes with several risks that make it not DIY(do-it-yourself)-friendly.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration in Lecanto, Florida, we discourage homeowners from attempting a DIY sewage cleanup because of the dangers it presents.

What are the risks of a DIY sewage flood cleanup in your home?

1. Sewage is contaminated and harmful

Sewage tends to consist of hazardous materials. Typical sewage may comprise greywater, which is water from utilities like sinks, showers, tubs, and dishwashers. It may also contain human waste since the water used to flush toilets often ends up in sewage. It is unhygienic and unsafe to come into contact with sewage without following proper procedures and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

2. Potential exposure to pathogens

Sewage contains up to a million microorganisms per millimeter of waste. Though some organisms help break down the solid waste, others are pathogenic parasites, bacteria, and viruses that professionals are trained to safely clean up.

For instance, sewage may contain pathogenic parasites such as Entamoeba histolytica that causes amoebiasis, Giardia lamblia that causes giardiasis, and Cryptosporidium that causes various symptoms including stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and dehydration.

Sewage may also contain Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, resulting in intestinal diseases, typhoid fever, dysentery, and cholera.

Additionally, sewage can contain viruses such as Polio, Hepatitis A, Adenovirus, Encephalitis, and enteric cytopathic human orphan (ECHO) that pose serious health risks.

3. Higher cleanup costs

You may think it is more cost-effective to clean the sewage backup yourself, but DIY is actually more expensive that you may imagine. When you put together the equipment, disinfectant, and cleaning supplies needed to complete the job thoroughly, the cost of DIY sewage cleanup goes up dramatically.

Moreover, most sewage backups are due to plumbing issues.

If you handle the backup on your own, you may not completely identify and correct the underlying issues, increasing the need for more backups that may cause repeat overflows in the future.

The higher likelihood of repeat cleanups makes DIY sewage cleanup more expensive than hiring a professional service.

4. Increased risk of mold infiltration

Sewage flooding provides ideal conditions for mold to grow in your home, primarily if the sewage backup is not handled correctly.

For example, when you tackle the water damage yourself, you are less likely to completely dry the moisture by the end of the first 24 hours.

Mold usually starts growing within 24 to 48 hours of the moisture standing in your home. You are more likely to have mold growing if you clean the sewage flooding yourself.

Quick, complete structural drying and dehumidification can thoroughly remove the sewage water and moisture to prevent mold from growing.

5. Higher chances of electrocution

When sewage flooding occurs, it is critical to turn off all electrical systems to prevent the risk of electrocution or explosion. Your utility company should shut off the electric and gas service before you can light matches or enter the flooded area.

Doing the remediation yourself means an increased risk of contact with electrical lines, wires, equipment, and other fixtures that may lead to electrocution. A good practice is to notify your utility company immediately if you detect an electrical or gas problem.

If the main power was not turned off before the flooding, then you should never re-enter your home until the utility company arrives.

Why hire a professional sewage flood cleanup service?

Water damage from the sewage backup is a progressive issue. Without quick and proper intervention, your walls, carpets, furniture, and much more will be compromised. The response should be speedy to prevent further damage, but it should also be safe and effective.

Because of the huge risks of DIY sewage cleanup, it is better to leave the cleanup to a professional service with the equipment, experience, and expertise to do it safely and effectively.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration in Lecanto, Florida, we have the equipment, techniques, safety standards, and know-how required to thoroughly and safely clean your home.

When you hire us, we will:

  1. Pump out the contaminated water and associated debris
  2. Assess, identify, and address the source of the sewage backup
  3. Remove, repair, and replace damaged items and floors
  4. Dispose of damaged materials
  5. Use industrial-grade dehumidifiers and air scrubbers to achieve faster, complete drying
  6. Disinfect, sanitize and deodorize the affected area with specialized solutions and procedures, eliminating pathogens and molds
  7. Help you with the insurance claims process

Want to clean up a sewer backup or sewage-based flooding in your home without exposing yourself to contaminated water, pathogens, or electrocution?

For a safe and thorough cleanup, call West Central Equipment and Restoration at (352) 270-8417. We offer 24/7 sewage cleanup service performed by our highly trained and experienced technicians.

You can be sure we will remove the contaminated water swiftly and prevent further damage to your property.

Types of Water Damage and Common Water Damage Restoration Situations

Key takeaways

  • Water damage is the loss caused by water encroaching into areas where it attacks materials or systems and destroys them.
  • Water damage is classified into three categories: clean water damage, grey water damage, and black water damage based on the level of contamination of the water involved.
  • Category 1 water damage, which is caused by clean water, has minimal associated health risks, but if left untreated for more than 48 hours, it can turn into category 2 water damage. Category 2 water damage, which is caused by grey water, may not be instantly harmful to humans, but the affected items should be removed and disinfected thoroughly. Category 3 water damage, which is caused by black water, is the most extreme kind of damage and requires swift action to mitigate serious health hazards.

Excess water and moisture can cause significant damage. Even when left unattended for a short while, the moisture seeps into walls, furniture and other appliances.

Stagnant water acts as a breeding place for mosquitoes, other insects and disease-spreading bacteria. And when the water gets into ducts and vents, it damages them and causes foul odors and huge losses.

What is water damage?

Water damage is the loss caused by water encroaching into areas where it attacks materials or systems and destroys them. Water causes damage through the rusting of steel, rotting of wood, swelling of composite woods, mold growth, bacterial growth, and delamination of materials like plywood.

Typical water damage can be slow, unnoticeable and minor, like when water spots mar a surface. But the damage can also be quick, catastrophic and massive, like after flooding or when a pipe bursts. However quickly it occurs, water damage can produce unforeseen scenarios, threats, losses and hidden costs.

Types of water damage

There are three classes of water damage based on the level of contamination of the water involved:

  1. Clean water damage (Category 1)
  2. Grey water damage (Category 2)
  3. Black water damage (Category 3)

Category 1: Clean Water Damage
When the loss or damage to property is due to water that presents a minimal threat to humans, the damage falls in category 1. The water involved in category 1 damage can come from a broken water supply line, rainwater, bathtub, broken pipe, sink overflow, or appliance malfunction that entails a water supply line. Since the water is toxin-free and sewage-free, it is considered “clean water.”

Category 1 water damage has minimal associated health risks, provided you respond to the situation in less than 48 hours. But if left untreated for more than 48 hours, the water gets exposed to different contaminants that can turn it into category 2 water damage.

While the items damaged in category 1 incidents can be dried quickly without any harmful side effects for the property owner, overlooking minor water damage can cause a major problem if left unattended.

Category 2: Grey Water Damage
When the source of water that invades your property contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants, and direct or indirect exposure to the water can adversely affect your health and property, it belongs in category 2.

Category 2 water carries potentially harmful microorganisms and poses mild to severe contamination risks that cause discomfort or sickness with ingestion or even mere exposure. This is called “grey water.”

Sources of “grey water” include toilet bowls with urine (no feces), sump pump failures, seepage due to hydrostatic failure, equipment discharges, chemical wastes like detergent, laundry and soap, and water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines.

Category 2 water damage may not be instantly harmful to humans, but the affected items should be removed and disinfected thoroughly. The waste and chemicals in the grey water may be detrimental down the line by promoting microbial growth, with the severity of the condition typically escalating with time.

Category 3: Black Water Damage
Sometimes, water may seep into your home from contaminated sources such as sewage, seawater, storm surge, rising floodwaters, ground surface water, standing water, rising water from rivers or streams, or water containing grease, urine or oil. This grossly unclean water is called “black water.” It has unsanitary agents, harmful fungi, viruses, allergens and bacteria that cause severe sickness or discomfort.

If category 2 water is not removed promptly from the structure and remains stagnant, it may become category 3 water. Also, toilet backflows that originate from beyond the toilet trap are considered black water contamination regardless of visible content or color.

Category 3 water damage is the most extreme kind of damage and requires swift action to mitigate serious health risks. The risk of getting an infection or illness after direct or indirect exposure to black water is more than 90%.

When category 3 water damage occurs, many items and materials will have to be removed from your property. After drying, your home must undergo significant disinfecting. Extreme caution is in order when dealing with black water.

Common water damage restoration situations
Water damage is broadly caused by either surface water intrusion (flood damage) or plumbing leaks. Surface water is the water that enters the dwelling from the surface of the ground because of inundation or insufficient drainage and causes loss to the dwelling.

In contrast, water damage via plumbing leaks includes sources such as a broken dishwasher hose, a washing machine overflow, kitchen sinks, leaking pipes, floodwaters, bathroom lavatories, groundwater seepage, clogged toilets, and building envelope failures, like leaking roof, doors, siding and windows. That is why, at least once a year, homeowners should inspect and replace worn out pipe fittings and hose connections to all household appliances that use water.

Reliable, effective water damage restoration
At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we believe that the first step in water damage restoration is identifying the damage category. When you call us, we assess the source of water, the degree of loss, and the materials affected. Using proven water leak detection equipment, such as probes and infrared tools, we can determine the source of damage and the extent of areas affected.

With this information, we take the necessary steps to control the source of water, remove non-salvageable materials, extract the water, and pre-clean the impacted materials. We will dry the structure, stabilize the building materials, sanitize any affected or cross-contaminated areas, and deodorize all affected areas and materials.

Next, we dry the property using water damage equipment, including air movers, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and wood floor drying systems. We tend to leave our sub-floor drying equipment in the residence and check back every twenty-four hours to monitor the drying equipment, temperature, humidity, and moisture content of the affected walls and contents.

The goal of the drying process is to stabilize the moisture content of impacted materials below 15%—the generally accepted threshold for microbial amplification.

West Central Equipment and Restoration is a water damage restoration service in Lecanto, Florida. We also offer sewage cleanup for category 3 disasters and general water removal for a range of properties.

Call us today at (352) 270-8417 to learn more about how our services can help you restore your home or office.

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