Water damage can be a serious problem for any homeowner. If not properly repaired, water damage can lead to structural problems, mould growth, and even health issues. This is a particularly important issue considering the flooding that occurred this year in the Brisbane area around the BetaBoard office. As such, we’ve put together a series of blog articles related to the topic of water damage repairs, including this guide to water damage repairs for the home.
How to Go About Water Damage Repairs
The thought of water damage can be pretty upsetting. After all, water can cause a lot of damage to your home and belongings. However, water damage can also be repaired. With the right knowledge and tools, it is possible to fix water damage yourself, but it is often a good idea to call for professional help. But the longer you wait, the more damage will be done.
Don’t Delay to Start on the Repairs
Time is truly of the essence when it comes to water and flood damage repair on your home. This is especially true in a warm area like the east coast of Australia. Moisture trapped under floors and inside of walls creates the perfect environment for mould growth. This mould can be hazardous, so you’ve got to act quickly to dry out the water damaged areas of your home and begin on the repairs.
Identify the Kind of Water that Caused the Damage
When talking about water and flood damage repairs, there are 3 kinds of water that you need to be aware of, as each of them has a different level of risk and safety precautions that need to be followed.
- Clear Water –The first type of water is clear water. This is drinkable water from a leaky pipe that is headed to the tap. This water is clean and safe, so no precautions need to be followed when performing repairs from clear water. It is possible that water damage from clear water can be repaired by simply letting the damaged area completely dry.
- Grey Water – This is water from a dishwasher, a washing machine or from a clean toilet. This water has contaminants, so you will need to do more than just dry the affected area. Cleaning and disinfecting the damaged area will be required as well.
- Black Water – This is the dirtiest and most dangerous kind of water. This is water from sewage, dirty toilets, and from floods. This water is loaded with bacteria that is potentially hazardous. There is little choice but to replace water damaged floors and walls when the damage is caused by black water. You also need to be careful when dealing with black water damage, as you can get sick from exposure to the harmful bacteria in the water.
Consider Getting Professional Assistance
As you can see, there can be a lot to a flood damage repair, so it might be wise to not go it alone and instead call an expert in water damage. This is the best way to make sure the job is done right and that there will be no mould growth to make you or your family sick. Once the professionals arrive, they will assess the damage and develop a repair plan. This may involve removing wet drywall, replacing damaged flooring, and repairing or replacing any structural elements that have been affected by the water damage. The repair process can take some time, but it’s important to make sure that the job is done right in order to avoid further problems down the road.
What to do Before the Professionals Arrive
There are a few things you can do before the professionals arrive to help minimize the damage and make the repair process go more smoothly. First, if there is any standing water, try to remove it with a wet-dry vacuum or mop it up as much as possible. Second, remove any wet items from the area that can be safely moved. This includes things like rugs, curtains, and upholstered furniture. Third, open any windows and doors to help the area dry out. Finally, if there is any mould that has already started to grow, try to clean it up with a bleach solution or other mould remover. This will help prevent the spread of the mould.
Water Damage Wall Repair
For water damage wall repair, it is important to consider the kind of water that has caused the damage. If it was clear water, it is possible that the walls can be dried out and saved. A contractor will likely cut a hole in the wall and use an industrial dehumidifier to suck out the moisture that is trapped in the walls. This process can take days, but it’s well worth the wait. However, if the water damage was caused by grey or black water, the plasterboard will more than likely need to be replaced. You’ll still need to make sure the area is completely dry before installing new drywall sheeting. This drying can be accomplished by opening doors and windows, and with some well-placed fans.
Water Damage Repair for Floors
When it comes to water damaged floors, the repair process is similar to water damaged walls. If the damage was cause by clear water, it is possible to save any wood in the flooring. But if it was grey or black water then the wood should probably be replaced. This means removing any hardwood, linoleum or floor base wood. Let the area completely dry by ensuring several days of ventilation from open doors and windows. Then install the new flooring.
To DIY or Not to DIY
Water Damage Repairs can be a DIY project, but it is the kind of work that is probably best left to professionals. The stakes are high when it comes to your safety and the safety of your family, so you want to make sure repairs are done right so as to prevent any dangerous mould or bacterial growth. The most import things to remember when it comes to these kinds of repairs is to act fast, whether that be to quickly repair the damage yourself or to quickly call a professional.
Where to Get Building Supplies for the Repairs
For these kinds of repairs, you need quality affordable building supplies. BetaBoard is the number one source in Brisbane for the kind of supplies used to repair water damaged walls and flooring. We’re happy to help you out and get you the supplies you need. You can visit us at one of our 5 stores to browse our available building materials, or you can get in touch online to request a quote or for more information.
