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Tips for Repairing and Cleaning Small Amounts of Water Damage in Surrey
Not every flooding incident requires calling in Surrey water damage repair experts. If the leak or overflow is small enough, you can usually handle it yourself – if you’re careful and thorough.
How To Handle Minor Water Damage Emergencies
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Stop the source of the water
Obviously, don’t try to clean up water before stopping the flow.
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Remove any easily movable objects
The faster you get items out of the water, the less chance there is that they’ll be permanently damaged. Do this before attempting water control.
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Vacuum or soak up any standing water
Be as thorough as you possibly can, particularly if the water is someplace where it’s likely to soak into the walls, floor, etc.
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Thoroughly dry the area
It’s not enough to get the standing water; you also need to dry out any soaked-in water. Otherwise, it will cause mold and mildew to grow. For small-scale accidents, the best way to do this is usually with a portable heater aimed at the spot that needs drying out.
Vacuuming can also help with this, as can a dehumidifier.
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Dry out any soaked objects
Use discretion when it comes to items which have gotten soaked in a flood. In many cases, it will probably be better to just throw them out and replace them. However, if you do intend to keep them, they also need to be thoroughly dried.
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Watch the affected area carefully in days to come
If you weren’t able to get all the water out, mold and mildew will almost certainly follow. If so, you’ll need to call in mold removal services.
Signs You Should NOT Attempt A Cleanup by Yourself
Water removal is a tricky thing, and doing it incorrectly carries a high risk of further damage to your home or property. In particular, if any of the following are true, you shouldn’t attempt a DIY solution.
- You don’t know the source of the water. Unless you’re certain the water has come from a clean source – ie, your pipes – don’t risk contamination.
- It’s more than you can easily mop up. The more water, the more chance of something going wrong.
- The flooding has gotten into drywall. Water-damaged drywall will almost undoubtedly need to be replaced.
- You smell mold, mildew, or decay. Mold removal must be handled by experts.
If you’ve suffered major flooding, don’t wait. Contact Malkin Cleaners for water damage repair in Surrey.