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Discovering that your carpet or wood flooring has just been flooded can quickly send you into panic mode. However, doing your own water damage cleanup doesn’t have to be a nightmare. In fact, by immediately following some simple steps, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to restore your floors to their original quality. You can also save money that would have gone towards hiring a professional restoration company by renting the equipment and making it a DIY job. Step 1 Find the cause of the leak and stop it. If the flooding was caused by a washing machine or toilet do not try to clean it up yourself. Water from these sources contains bacteria, sewage and other chemical and biological contaminates. Under these circumstances, it is best to call in a professional flood cleanup crew. In all cases, be mindful of your time, as mold and permanent damage set in once the first 12 to 24 hours after a flood have passed. Step 2 Elevate or remove any wood furnishings to prevent damage to the items themselves and staining to carpeted areas. In addition, remove any nearby items that may prevent your floors from drying or interfere with the water extraction process. Step 3 Use a professional grade flood water extractor to remove visible and non-visible surface water from hardwood floors or carpeting. This DIY flood equipment can be rented from a handful of professional water restoration companies. Do not try to use a normal vacuum cleaner to remove the water. Step 4 Slowly move your extraction equipment over the affected area to ensure that all the water is absorbed. Continue cleaning until water is no longer going into the vacuum tank. This may take a while. However, taking the time to extract fully is essential to the water cleanup process. After cleaning a wood floor, be sure to scrub the floor well with a suds-free disinfectant cleanser to get rid of debris, oil and grease that can trap water in the wood. A second cleaning with a wood-cleaning cloth or mop and a final rinse and suction is a must. Step 5 Air circulation is key to restoring your water-logged floors. An Air Mover or industrial dehumidifier, which can be rented by the day, will help you get the job done quickly. For carpeting, let your devices run for an additional 24 to 48 hours to make sure the carpet padding underneath is completely dry. With wood flooring, the humidifier should be placed in the middle of the room while a large industrial fan blows across the floor. Check the basement or crawlspace underneath for leaks. If leaking is apparent, drill several small holes into the support floor to increase ventilation. Step 6 Check for mold or mildew once the floor is dry. Clean again and suction if necessary. Wood floors should be double-checking for water using a moisture testing meter. Depending on the humidity and level of moisture in your wood floor, completion of the drying process could take several weeks. If the flooring underneath is dry after a final check, apply wood spackling to any drilled holes. Many people assume that an in-home flooding requires professional flood assistance. However, with the right tools and information just about anyone can do their own water damage restoration.
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