Water in unwanted places is never a good sight – especially when the water enters your home and causes damage. Your belongings could also be in danger and worse, you might not be able to save anything at all. The key here is to act quickly because the earlier you act, the higher your chances of saving your items and things from being damaged by water.
The amount of time the water enters your home plays an important role. Some of your items can withstand a few minutes of being submerged in the water, but any electronic item is beyond saving. During basement flooding or occurring water damage, both carpet and drywall become wet. Many people wonder, will I have to replace both my drywall and carpet?
Your carpet is made of synthetic fibers which makes it fluffy and warm. It is also one of the items that suffer the most with water damage. So, can you still salvage a carpet affected by flooding? The answer to this depends on the source of the water. If the flood comes with mud caused by a storm and the carpet was soaked for a long period of time, then you might just like to dispose of it. However, if the flood is caused by standing water or a broken pipe, then there is a possibility to save it.
You can use a water extraction vacuum to remove a large volume of water from your carpet. After that, your carpet should be lifted up so it can dry up from both sides. Also, remember to remove your carpet padding and replace it with a new one. This is also the perfect time to check the floor underneath the carpet for possible water damage.
Most homes have drywall. It is the material used to create walls and ceilings. Drywall is easy to install, durable and only requires a simple repair when damaged. But what if your drywalls get wet? Drywall may seem hard, but it is made of porous materials and can absorb water more than wood does. When it is wet, it may swell, sag, bow and most of all, it can create the best breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Like carpet, your drywall needs to dry up as soon as possible for it to be rescued. If the drywall is soft and looked distorted, then it won’t any need drying at all and should be replaced.
This is the main reason why water damage can be destructive at times – there may be items that can be rescued, but there are also some that are no longer salvageable. Don’t treat flood water or water damage lightly even a small amount of water dampness can encourage mold and bacteria growth; which may destroy your home and expose you to a lot of health conditions. It is always a wise idea to act quickly during water damage and inspect everything – to make sure there is no water left or traces of it inside your home.
