After a flood, it's important to restore your home to good order as soon as possible to protect your health and prevent further damage to your house and belongings. In an emergency situation, the indoor air quality in your home may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to remove …
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Water damage is not to be overlooked. You would be surprised at the disastrous effects a few inches of water will have on your property. Not only is this threat to your home or business, but also your health.
Depending on the water source, dangerous toxins and chemicals may be present, leading to serious health threats like worsened allergies, respiratory infections, or chronic headaches.
At Green Carpet Cleaning& Allergy Kenya we are committed to offering water damage and flooding restoration services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We understand that emergencies happen, which is why we are available when you need us most!
Flood Cleanup to Protect Indoor Air and Your Health
Flood water can make the air in your home unhealthy. Mold can grow on wood, drywall, carpet and furniture if they remain wet for more than 24 hours. Breathing in mold can make you sick. Flood water can also contain bacteria, chemicals or other hazards which may affect your health.
This page describes four important actions you should consider to protect your health and indoor air quality (IAQ) when cleaning up after a flood (like a flash flood or flooding after a hurricane):
- Stay safe as you clean up.
- Sort materials and throw away anything you cannot clean and dry.
- Clean the house and everything in it that was wet or moldy.
- Dry the house and everything in it completely.
Visit Green Carpet's Flooded Homes Cleanup site for a complete guide to flooded home cleanup, including how-to videos.
Note: If your home is damaged by water from a pipe leak or rainwater intrusion, go to the mold website for information on mold prevention and cleanup. Water damage from these types of events typically presents fewer hazards and affects a smaller area than damage from hurricanes and floods.
Clean the House and Everything in it After a Flood
- What cleaning methods should I use to clean up?
- What types of cleaning products should I use to clean up?
- Can I use bleach to clean up after a flood?
- Should I be concerned about exposure to microorganisms or cleaning products when I clean up?
What cleaning methods should I use to clean up?
Use cleaning methods that keep contaminants from getting into the air. Avoid stirring up dust or scrubbing surfaces. The first time you clean a surface, clean it gently to remove loose dirt and microorganisms. Use a cloth (or something similar) dampened with clean water and detergent. After you have gently cleaned with something damp, you can use dry tools, like a wet/dry vacuum, to remove any remaining debris.
While cleaning, open doors and windows, if possible, to increase ventilation and help dry your home. If you can already see mold, wait to start up fans or dehumidifiers until after you’ve gently cleaned the mold you can see. This is so the fans do not spread the mold.
If you suspect that any part of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system was submerged or affected by the flood waters, see Should I use my heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to help dry out my house?
What types of cleaning products should I use to clean up?
First, you should use clean water and detergent to physically remove contaminants from surfaces.
You can also use a registered disinfectant or sanitizer on some clean surfaces that do not absorb water to kill microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. It is important to understand that disinfectants and sanitizers should be used on surfaces that are clean. These products do not work on surfaces that have not been cleaned. Many of these products are not intended for use on surfaces that absorb water like fabrics or unfinished wood.
Some disinfectants, sanitizers, and other cleaning products may cause breathing problems or skin irritation. Before you use a product, carefully read the label, and follow all the directions. Some key directions to look for include:
- Read and follow all instructions about how to safely use the product, such as what protective clothing to wear.
- Some products must be diluted with water before use. Be sure to prepare the product at the correct strength as indicated on the product label. Dilute products in well-ventilated areas.
- Be sure disinfectants and sanitizers stay in contact with the surface for the time indicated on the product label. This is sometimes called the “contact time.” These products take time to work.
- To sanitize surfaces that may touch food you will eat, look for a product that can be used on “food contact surfaces.”
DO NOT MIX CLEANING PRODUCTS together or add bleach to other chemicals.
Mixing cleaning products can create toxic vapors.
Can I use bleach to clean up after a flood?
Before you use bleach or any other disinfectant or sanitizer, you need to thoroughly clean the surface with clean water and a detergent. Water and detergent, as well as the wiping action of a damp cloth or sponge, can effectively remove many microorganisms and debris from surfaces.
If you use a disinfectant or sanitizer, such as bleach, you should only use it after you have thoroughly cleaned everything that was wet with flood water. Bleach and other disinfectants and sanitizers can kill microorganisms, but they don’t work well unless the dirt around the microorganisms is cleaned up first.
DO NOT mix bleach with other chemicals, such as ammonia or chemicals brought in by contaminated flood water, because the combination can be toxic. If you aren’t sure what chemicals are in the flood water, clean as much as you can with water and detergent before using other products.
Should I be concerned about exposure to microorganisms or cleaning products when I clean up?
It is important to prevent unnecessary exposure to both microorganisms (such as viruses, bacteria, and mold) and cleaning products during flood cleanup.
Flood water can bring microorganisms, including from sewage and other sources, inside buildings. It can also allow microorganisms that were already inside to grow. During flood cleanup, exposure to these microorganisms can cause allergic or irritant effects, or in some cases even infectious diseases.
Cleaning products may also trigger asthma symptoms or have irritant effects if they are not used or stored properly. Many unintentional exposures to bleaches and disinfectants are reported to poison control centers every year.
If you have concerns about how flood cleanup work may affect your health, talk to your health care provider before you begin.
Learn more about hazards in a flooded home and how to protect your health.
Dry Everything Completely After a Flood
- What can I do to dry my house quickly?
- Should I use my heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to help dry out my house?
- How long will it take to dry out my house?
- How can I tell if materials like walls and flooring are completely dry?
- How can I tell if my foundation is dry before I replace my flooring?
What can I do to dry my house quickly?
If it is safe to do so, leave outside doors and windows open to keep air moving through the house as you clean and dry it out. Open inside doors and cabinets, and remove drawers, shelves, and built-in furniture (such as cabinets) to allow hidden surfaces to dry. If you have power, you can set up fans, dehumidifiers, or heaters throughout the house to speed up the drying process. However, it's a good idea to wait to start up fans or dehumidifiers until after you’ve gently cleaned all the mold you can see at least once.
If the air outside is very humid and warm, it can slow down the drying process. If you have power, consider closing outside doors and windows and use fans, dehumidifiers, air conditioners and/or heaters to dry out the house.
Should I use my heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to help dry out my house?
If any part of your HVAC system was affected by the flood, do not use it to help dry out your house. Cleaning and drying your HVAC system can be complicated, so it is best to have a professional do it. If the air ducts in your HVAC system have become contaminated, Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? provides information about choosing an air duct cleaning service provider.
If your HVAC system is working and is not contaminated, it may help with the drying process. However, you will likely need to use fans, dehumidifiers, and/or heaters, too. Most HVAC systems cannot dry out a home by themselves when the humidity is very high after a flood.
How long will it take to dry out my house?
Drying can take a long time, usually several days to weeks. Even after things look dry, you should keep the air moving with open doors and windows and any equipment you have available. Do not seal any areas, such as wall cavities, that were flooded and do not apply paint or sealants to any surfaces that were wet until you are sure the materials are completely dry on the inside.
How can I tell if materials like walls and flooring are completely dry?
Use a moisture meter to measure the moisture content of materials.A moisture meter can help you determine whether materials such as walls, cabinets, and flooring are dry and ready for refinishing. You can usually find a moisture meter at a hardware store. Use the moisture meter to measure the moisture content of materials. Materials should read 15% or less to be ready for refinishing.
How can I tell if my foundation is dry before replacing my flooring after a flood?
To prevent mold growth, you should be sure your foundation is dry before you replace the flooring. An easy way to check if your concrete slab is dry enough to replace the flooring is:
- Fasten the edges of a clear piece of plastic sheeting to a concrete slab.
- Wait for approximately 16 hours.
- If moisture is visible on the plastic sheeting, it is still too wet to replace the flooring.
Water Damage Restoration & Flooding Damage Restoration Services 24/7"
OUR WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION PROCESS
What is Water or Flood Damage?
Water damage can ruin your house or other property. The extra water might affect your expensive furniture or cause electrical shortages. There are different reasons why some individuals face this problem. It can be due to:
- Natural disaster like heavy rains, storms
- Burst pipes
- Damaged sewer lines
These are some of the reasons behind major leakages. No matter what the reason might be, you need to opt for water damage restoration services. The earlier you book an appointment, the better. Or else, the situation might get worse if you do not take action in time. Water damage remediation and repair should be conducted by experienced teams, who make sure that all the water is drained and the area dried and cleaned. Professional companies can handle all kinds of complexities related to water damage cleanup processes.
What is Water Damage Restoration?
Simply put, it's the process of restoring a water damaged property to pre-loss condition.
On the surface, this sounds fairly simple.
But the process of actually drying out a property is very complex and can take several days to weeks depending on the size of the affected area and the scope of damage.
When it comes to water damage restoration, most property owners incorrectly think it's nothing more than surface drying a property, but this is neither accurate nor is it safe.
Water damage restoration is all encompassing.
While it may begin with water removal services and extraction...
It proceeds to drying out of the property with humidifiers and air movers, encompasses contents restoration, materials removal and reconstruction along with mold prevention and/or mold remediation.
Below, we'll get into much more of the water damage restoration process, what a water damage restoration company does and frequently asked questions about restoring a flooded property to pre-loss condition.
Is Professional Water / Flood Damage Restoration Mandatory?
Leaking water of any kind can affect your home and your health. First of all, water ruins your belongings and household items. Secondly, it even damages the paint on your walls. Along with the damage to your property, this water affects your health as well. If the water is not cleared within a day or two, it starts to support mold growth. Therefore, the mitigation process for damage due to water is something that needs to be handled efficiently and quickly. It is not an amateur's job, but requires an expert who can conduct the entire process within a short time frame.
How is the Restoration Process Performed?
Water or flood damage restoration procedures are not simple. From the drying phase to the repair and reconstruction, every step has multiple complexities. Sometimes, when the affected area is huge, it takes several days to tackle the problem. In general, the process consists of the following steps:
1. Damage Assessment.
Once you contact a company, their representatives ask relevant questions to get an idea about the damage. These include generic questions which describe the problem. Then a team is sent over to your place. They conduct a detailed assessment on how much damage has occurred. From your rooms to your basement, every corner of the house is checked. It helps analyze the extent of the damage and reach the reason behind the problem. Moreover, the team determines the type of category the damage belongs to. After a complete assessment, the restoration steps for damage caused by the water are decided upon.
2. Water Removal and Extraction.
Sometimes, people are confused about what a water damage restoration company does. Well, their first task is to remove the excess water and then dry the place. To remove water, we use large pumps and vacuums. These powerful devices can clear out gallons of water in one go. Any water accumulated on the floor or in the rooms is cleared out. All of this is done quickly so that your house doesn't suffer more damage. Depending on the severity of the situation, the size of the pump can vary.
3. Water Damage Clean-Up and Sanitizing
After clearing out the water, we need to clean and sanitize the affected areas. From your rooms to your furniture, everything is washed and dried. Since leaking water affects your clothing, furniture items, and electronic devices, one needs to sanitize everything. Through deep cleaning, one can get rid of nasty odors as well.
In some scenarios, colonies of fungus start to settle in the water. Within 24 hours, your entire home can be contaminated, so disinfection is a must. Applying anti-microbial solutions is also beneficial.
4. Dehumidifying and Drying.
Once the water is properly removed from every visible surface, it's time to clean the hidden corners. Some points in a house are more difficult to access. So experts use less intrusive methods to dry the moisture. It includes the use of dehumidifiers, air movers and air scrubbers. These methods help in making the flood restoration process more efficient.
5. Cleanup and Approval.
Water leakage causes several kinds of damages. The last part of the entire process is when we have completed removing what needs to be removed, cleaning what needs to be cleaned, and drying what needs to be dried. With your approval, your property is ready to be restored to its original appearance by a licensed contractor.
No matter how serious the damage might be, a team of professional cleaners can fix it. These steps are common in all kinds of restoration processes cause by severe floods or water leaks in roofs and basements. One cannot even leave out a single part.
CAN YOU FIX THE DAMAGE YOURSELF?
The leakage of water can be devastating for any place. From broken pipes to leaking appliances, anything can become the reason for a flood in your home. In case the damage is not intense, you can use various ways to fix the issue yourself. For example, you can change a leaking pipe or repair the point leading to the problem. Individuals can also start drying the water, but they need to have some protective gear to keep them safe.
However, most of the time, it's not easy for amateurs to handle the flood water restoration process. There is a high possibility that you might make the situation worse. In addition, if the water isn't cleared out in a short period, it starts to facilitate mold growth. So, calling a professional is a must. When you delay the restoration process, the issue worsens. Flood restoration steps need to be performed as soon as the leakage is detected.
GETTING THE BEST WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION SERVICES NEAR YOU!
Green Carpet Cleaning provides you with exceptional technicians. Our employees do not only clean the mess but help you restore your offices and homes. Water damages are never easy to handle. On top of that, if the damage is excessive, it will take time for the process to complete, so you want experienced professionals to do it safely and efficiently. However, by not opting for water restoration services, you put yourself and your house at risk. At Green Carpet Cleaning, you can get quality services at economical rates. From new technology to modern techniques, our company uses the best solutions available in the market. The best part is we prefer eco-friendly methods, so none of our cleaning agents harm the environment. Being a top category company, you will find top quality services at our place. All that you need to do is dial our helpline number - 0792-293-443. We are here to help you 24/7 for emergency water damage clean-up and restoration.
Water Removal vs Water Damage Restoration
What's the difference?
The main difference between water removal and water damage restoration involves the process.
As noted, water removal is essentially preventing any further damage from occurring. In other words, it’s what professional restoration contractors do before they get to the restoration step in an effort to contain the amount of loss a property suffers.
This might include preservation of the property’s structural integrity, removing contents from the property that can be salvaged, and tarping off or containing other areas of the property where water damage could potentially spread.
Eventually, removal also involves removing water from the property to essentially eliminate the threat of further spread and property damage.
Extracting water from the property is typically performed using a commercial-grade truck-mounted extractor to remove any standing water. Following this, water is often removed from carpeting or other soft surfaces with portable extractors.
After removal occurs, water damage restoration begins. This is the process of restoring the property to pre-loss condition.
The severity of the property damage will largely reflect the amount of restoration that needs to be performed.
In some cases, setting up air movers and dehumidifiers on the property is enough to adequately dry the property out.
In other cases, drywall will need to be cut out, carpeting and carpet padding removed, and antimicrobials applied to prevent subsequent mold growth.
It also often consists of contents restoration to return the likes of a property’s hard and soft goods to pre-loss condition.
In addition to that, if building materials need to be removed from the property, reconstruction may be required before the property can be returned to its pre-loss condition.
As you can see, it’s impossible to restore a water-damaged property until it’s properly mitigated, as professional restoration contractors need to know what needs to be done first.
This cannot be learned until the situation is contained and damage doesn’t risk spreading any more throughout the property.
What a Water Damage Restoration Company Does
What does a water restoration company do?
The main role of a water damage restoration company is to take the necessary steps to return your property to pre-loss condition.
As we noted in the previous section, the overall water damage restoration process consists of a variety of steps to ensure the property is properly restored and subsequent damage and mold growth does not take place.
Your restoration company - in conjunction with a team of professionals - will usually work with your property owner's insurance company to help file claims and ensure things go smoothly from start to finish.
While it is possible for separate companies to handle removal and restoration, it’s often easy for property owners to have one company that does both.
Green Carpet Cleaning Restorers, for instance, helps you every step of the way with cleanup, water removal, mold remediation, roofing, interior and exterior construction.
Water damage is more common than any homeowner would hope. You don’t have to live on a flood plain or area affected Heavy rain in order for your home to be impacted by water damage. Just a few of the common sources of water damage besides storms and flooding include:
- Overflowing sinks and bathtubs
- Toilets overflowing due to drainage issues
- Poor sealing around showers and tubs
- Leaking appliances and fixtures such as dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters, and more
- Water and chemicals sprayed by firefighters or automatic fire suppression systems
- Sewage backups
- Plumbing blockages, leaking pipes, and burst water mains
It can be helpful to know the most common source of water damage, in order to minimize the potential for it happening. But what do you do once it happens? How does an expert in water damage remediation and restoration get your house back to normal? Here’s a basic breakdown of the process, from start to finish.
Step 0: Before you call us, minimize further damage
Water damage is a process that can progress quickly, or very slowly. Either way, you want to act fast to try and stop as much of that process as possible. A few minutes can be the difference tearing out the floor in one room, and tearing out the floors and walls in half of your home.
- If the water is originating from your plumbing or a fixture, shut off the main water valve in your home. If there is a great deal of flooding, shut off the power in order to avoid accidental electrocution from appliances and wiring in the affected area(s).
- Remove as many loose items from the area as possible, including personal possessions, books, electronics, tabletop items, lamps and other electric devices, and furniture.
- Sensitive electronics can be placed in containers of rice for a couple days in order to absorb as much moisture as possible. This gives the best chance of recovering these items.
- Dry your furniture thoroughly with rags, towels, or paper towels. If some of the furniture in affected areas is too large to remove, prop the items up on boards or blocks in order to get them above the water or off of damp floors.
- Remove any loose rugs and coverings and place them somewhere where they can dry without dripping water on vulnerable areas. Consult us before considering removing carpeting and underpadding.
- Dry the air as much as possible. Run fans, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, central heating and/or fireplaces.
- Remove and soak up as much excess water from the affected area as possible—if there’s a great deal of water, rent a sump pump. If you use a vacuum, ONLY use a shop vac rated for web use, and be extremely cautious about where it’s plugged in, and where the power cord is. Continue the process using mops, towels, sheets, etc. Remember, if the water originated from a plumbing issue, do NOT dump collected water down sinks, toilets, or showers.
- Call us for help, and inform your insurance company. For insurance purposes, hold onto all receipts for items and services procured to deal with the water damage.
Step 1: Assessing the extent of the water damage
The first thing we have to do when we get on-site is to inspect your property and assess the situation. It’s very important at this stage to conduct water testing to identify what contaminants are present, because this will affect the restoration process. Water contamination generally falls into three categories:
- White water. This is water that’s fresh out of the faucet. It drinkable and uncontaminated. Of course, once it’s sitting on your living room floor, it’s no longer white water. But this is still the best possible situation, and probably the least likely.
- Gray water. This is the water that people produce the most of in their day to day activities—showering, taking a bath, kitchen and bathroom sinks, and doing laundry. It’s water that contains dirt and other contaminants, thus it isn’t potable, but it isn’t toxic or disease-carrying. Gray water can safely be used to water lawns and gardens (unless it’s contaminated with strong detergents or other soaps).
- Black water. This is water that has come in contact with bodily waste, and thus could be potentially disease-carrying, due to harboring harmful microorganisms. Black water is biohazardous, and black water contamination should only be handled by a trained specialist.
Once we know how contaminated the water is, and have taken the necessary safety precautions, then we can thoroughly assess the level of damage to your property, and the presence of other construction materials that may be a safety hazard, such as asbestos or lead.
Step 2: Removing the water
If necessary, we can assist with removing any necessary items from the premises, and can provide cleaning and restoration services for most items. Once the area has been cleared, our technicians deploy sump pumps and industrial-grade wet vacuums to remove any standing water as quickly as possible.
Once the water has been extracted, then we can determine whether or not any existing carpeting or attached floor covering need to be removed in order to protect subflooring, and the extent of the damage to floors and walls. We have a variety of tools for detecting where moisture has penetrated, including infrared cameras, hygrometers, and other moisture detection systems. Water damage restoration companies that don’t make use of such equipment run the risk of performing restoration work, only for unnoticed water damage elsewhere to lead to mold and other serious health hazards that would require additional, expensive treatments.
Step 3: Drying structure materials and dehumidifying the environment
In order to salvage as much of your home or other structural property as possible, we have to ensure that all moisture is removed from construction materials. Wood flooring and drywall can look dry to the naked eye, but can retain a great deal of water without looking visibly moist. Without immediate remediation of this, long term damage such as swelling, warping, and the growth of mold can result.
Industrial grade fans and dehumidifiers are used to maintain constant air circulation to speed passive water evaporation, and to actively extract moisture from building surfaces and items within the affected area.
Step 4: Cleaning, deodorizing, and sanitizing affected surfaces and items
Drying alone isn’t enough. Think about the last time you left a load of laundry in the washer for a couple of days before you ran it through the dryer. Despite the clothes being dried, they retain the unpleasant, musty smell resulting from fungal and mildew growth.
The same is true of your home and the items in it affected by water damage. Additionally, without proper sanitization, hardy organisms and molds may continue to grow and spread, causing odors, unsightly stains, and ultimately, additional damage to your home and property.
We don’t just stop with your home—we offer full treatment services for irreplaceable personal items such as photographs, documents, paintings, and upholstered furniture.
water dry
Water Damage/ Flooding Clean Up Services
Water damage cleanup services are extremely technical in nature and laborious. Depending on the extent of the damage, water damage clean up can be a long and expensive process. Green Carpet Cleaning& Allergy Kenya can also give you tips on how to work with your restoration company to get the most out of it.
Fire water damage in a home and fire and flood damaged contents inside a building can wreak havoc on your life. We are here to make this process as easy as possible for you, and to do so with competitive prices and expert knowledge.
Please commit our name and number to your memory in the event you need us, or call us today at 0792-293-443 if you require services. We are here to help you in this unfortunate situation.
Green Carpet Cleaning& Allergy Kenya employs experts in fire damage restoration as well. So, whether you have suffered flood damage or fire damage, call us immediately so we can start working on the cleaning and process.
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