12 tips for water damage repair

Believe it or not, there are three types of water. The first type is “clean” water from rain, condensation, leaky pipes and so on. It’s relatively harmless to clean it up yourself. But you may also want to consider calling in professional help. The second type is grey water, slightly dirty water from dishwashers, washing machines, clean toilets and so on. And it may have some contaminants. But you can clean it up yourself if you remove it carefully and with proper safety gear to protect yourself. Professional water damage would be slightly more expensive than basic water. The third type is black water, such as sewage or serious flooding from nearby rivers, etc. This water contains waste, bacteria and other serious contaminants. Black water can cause very serious health problems, and you shouldn’t try to clean it up yourself. It’s time to contact the pros for home water damage repair. Black water cleanup is the most expensive type of water damage repair.

Inspect damaged materials for mould and mildew. Mould can start to grow in the right conditions in as little as 24 hours. For long-term issues, like mould caused by attic condensation, the mould may have started growing a long time ago. And if you find mould and mildew issues, you need to be very careful. Some mould is toxic to humans, and all mould is very damaging to the materials it infests. For small mould issues, cut out the material, bag it, and throw it away immediately. For serious mould issues, get out of the area, shut down any airflow (to avoid spore contamination) and call a professional. And keep in mind that mould can show up in hidden areas like inside walls or under floors, so this inspection and water damage repair will be ongoing.

Learn how to get rid of mould.

It’s important to get rid of all moisture ASAP before it causes more damage. And for small leaks, this may not be difficult, but it’s important to be thorough. Use fans to circulate air in the affected area. For larger projects, consider renting a large-capacity dehumidifier to really dry out surrounding wood, carpet and other materials. You don’t want any moisture left after your water damage repair.

This is how to recycle water from a dehumidifier.

Porous materials include carpet, insulation, fabric and similar items. If they’ve been soaked in water, you may have to cut them out and throw them away. Water will permanently damage most porous materials by shrinking or warping them, and mildew will damage them even further. And if you have a beloved piece of furniture you want to save, you could try isolating and drying it out, but the damage may already be done, especially if you see drywall water damage. Note that unsealed cement, drywall and wood are also porous materials.

When damaged components have been removed, disinfect the whole area before you begin working. The most common choice is a bleach solution, but there are a number of homemade options you can choose from. Lightly spray and wipe down the area before you start water damage repair to help make sure no mould spores linger.

Ceilings exposed to water damage are more at risk due to gravity: You don’t want them sagging or collapsing. So, remove affected ceiling panels or boards first. If the ceiling leak is caused by a roof problem, it’s important to find the true source of the leak, which may be somewhere far removed from the water stain. And take this time to make sure the water caused no structural damage to beams or rafters. You can contact professionals to find out what replacing a water damaged ceiling repair cost job runs.

Here are 11 tips on how to remove a popcorn ceiling faster and easier.

All severely warped wood (particularly flooring), rotting wood and wood that has developed mould/mildew problems will need to be replaced. Pry apart damaged boards and thoroughly clean beneath them before replacing them. And if the wood is a structural component of your house, you must be very careful when replacing it so that the structure has the right support during and after the water damage repair project.

Learn why wood moves and why you need to know.

From wet carpets to swollen floorboards, it’s often evident when water has damaged your floor. But if you aren’t sure, it’s important to check immediately in case moisture has become trapped underneath. Note that underlayment and padding are particularly susceptible to water damage and must usually be removed. However, this also presents an opportunity to install new, waterproof flooring in the area. Ceramic tile, high-end vinyl and certain engineered wood materials can all help protect floors against future water damage repair. If a leaky toilet has damaged the floor underneath it, you can easily replace that flooring yourself.

Don’t fall for these 10 most common flooring installation mistakes.

How much plasterboard should you replace if you have plasterboard water damage? Generally speaking, if plasterboard has swelled or sagged 10mm or more from the baseline, then you need to replace the entire sheet. Otherwise, you can cut out and water damage repair the water-stained portion. And remember to check the insulation behind the plasterboard for damage as well.

How to hang plasterboard: pro tips for cutting and installing.

Roof problems can also cause water damage to cladding materials as well. Here, the biggest danger is water seeping in behind your cladding and causing permanent damage to more vulnerable materials. If this happens, you will need to remove or replace the cladding quickly before rot sets in. Water can also seep in behind faux stone and other external walls around your home, so it’s important to be thorough in this inspection.