How to Repair Flood Damage

Experiencing flood damage at your property can be traumatic. It can be an experience that drastically changes the landscape of your property within a matter of minutes. This nightmarish situation can happen during any time of the day, during any time of the year. While you think a flood can’t happen at your property, it happens to millions of Americans every year. With 1 in 50 homeowners filing a water claim to their insurance. This accounts for nearly a quarter of all claims filed each year. 

This type of situation can happen to anyone. United Water Restoration Group of Melbourne is here to assist you after the worst has happened at your property. Our flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida can assist you through every step of the restoration process. We would like to provide you with a few tips on handling your flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida.

Tip #1: Your Safety

Your safety is the most important aspect you should consider before attempting to undertake flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida. Flood damages can quickly make your property an unsafe place. This can be due to waters causing instability or wearing down important fixtures. Flood damage can change the way your property functions within a matter of minutes.

Besides stability concerns, you also need to be cautious of potential electrical hazards. Certain wires may be exposed. Electrical currents and water can make for a very hazardous, potentially life-threatening situation. Before undertaking the task of flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida be sure to guarantee your own safety. Flood water can severely damage property and render it uninhabitable. While your property is important, your safety is even more important. In times of extreme damage, our technicians can take every safety precaution. We are trained extensively and understand the potential hazards resulting from water damage.

Tip #2: Assess The Situation and Damages

After you have ensured your own safety, you can begin the next step of flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida. You should discover the location of the damage, the source of the problem, if you can stop it, what’s damaged, and where the damages have largely accumulated. Having a comprehensive list of all items affected or damaged will greatly assist you while dealing with your insurance company. 

This can save you time reporting the damages, but it can also give you a better understanding of your situation. After assessing the damages, assess your skillset and determine if this is in your wheelhouse. Flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida can be challenging. Our trained technicians can assist you through every step of your restoration process. We are extensively trained to handle any level of water damage at your property. Whether you are dealing with a malfunctioning appliance or a severe storm, we’re ready and available to help.

Step #3: Extract The Water

The next step in flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida is to remove all standing water from affected areas. This can be done using equipment or objects to absorb the water. Wet vacuums are a tool that can help absorb water from affected areas. While some may consider trying to use a regular vacuum, the components in it are not protected. Meaning that when the water comes in, they will likely be damaged by the water. 

You can also use fans, towels, and mops that can effectively assist you in drying out affected areas. Extracting the water is vital to flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida. If you are unable to accomplish this task on your own, our technicians can help you! Our technicians come equipped with state-of-the-art tools and extensive training. We can assist in extracting all standing water and restoring your property back to a state of normalcy. 

Step #4: Sanitizing Affected Areas

If you are able to successfully extract all the water at your property, the next step to flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida is to sanitize and disinfect affected areas. Depending on where the water originated, it may carry potentially harmful bacteria. Water from sources such as storms or sewage backups can bring hazardous substances into your property. Sanitizing and disinfecting affected areas will help prevent harmful bacteria from lingering at your property. 

Mold colonies are also a major concern after any water damage. Mold spores are microscopic in size and are present in virtually every room. After water damage, a mold colony can form in as little as 24 hours. These colonies can spread quickly, affecting multiple rooms and deteriorating objects. While mold may seem not as threatening, it comes with many health risks. Mold colonies also eat through organic materials and can cause instability as well as lingering foul odors. 

Tip #5: Toss Damaged Porous Items/Materials

Porous items such as drywall, carpeting, wood, and insulation absorb water and retain it far after the event has subsided. Porous materials absorb water quickly and will retain it, causing lingering deterioration and further damages. This can cause instability if untreated wood is affected, it can cause a plethora of problems until the items are removed and replaced. Unfortunately, for less durable items such as insulation or drywall, once these materials are damaged, they typically can’t be reversed. 

A major part of this step in flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida is finding affected materials behind walls or in tight spots. Insulation and drywall can be hidden behind walls or in certain areas. Be sure to address all lingering issues at your property before the problems continue to grow and get worse. This step is crucial and is one that should be handled delicately.

Tip #6: Restore or Replace

Once your safety is secured, you’ve assessed the damages, extracted the water, sanitized affected areas, and removed porous, damaged items, you can start the final step. The final step of flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida is to replace or restore all affected materials around your property. This can include things such as porous items listed above, furniture, personal effects, and fixtures around your property. If it is damaged, you need to restore or replace it in order to return your property back to a state of normalcy. 

United Water Restoration Group of Melbourne can assist you with every step of your flood damage restoration in Melbourne, Florida. Our service line at (321) 348-4639 is open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This service line can place you in direct contact with one of our trained technicians. Our technicians are extensively trained and come equipped with state-of-the-art tools. United Water Restoration Group of Melbourne is Melbourne, Florida’s #1 flood damage restoration company and we can be at your property, ready and able to assist, in under an hour!