Water damage is a homeowner's nightmare, causing a cascade of complications, from ruined belongings to potential health issues due to mold and mildew.
In these critical moments, a coordinated response among homeowners, insurance companies, and restoration professionals is best. By promptly turning off the electricity and documenting the damage with detailed photos, you can ensure a smoother claims process and protect your home from further deterioration. Swift action can help salvage your belongings and facilitate effective remediation, giving you peace of mind and safeguarding your family’s health. Reach out to professionals who can guide you in restoring your home and protecting what matters most.
Can homeowners clean flood water by themselves?
"It's important to remember that flood waters are considered Category 3 as defined by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration," highlights Michael Herbst, AdvantaClean’s IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) in-house instructor. "This means that the water sources are grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents that can cause significant adverse reactions to humans if contacted or consumed. The health and safety of the occupants and workers is the priority. Use caution when entering a building and ensure the electrical power is off."
After any type of water damage, health risks increase. Protect yourself by wearing an organic vapor respirator, rubber gloves, waterproof boots, and eye protection. Contaminated water doesn't always look dirty, but mold spores develop quickly, particularly when temperatures are warm and levels of humidity are high.
He adds, "When affected by flood waters, highly porous building materials like drywall, insulation, carpet, and carpet padding must be removed and discarded. The affected areas must also be cleaned and decontaminated before being dried with commercial air movers (fans) and dehumidifiers."
How to Increase Airflow In Your Space
For mild water damage that is proven not to be from a contaminated source, there are steps you can do to mitigate long term damage. It starts with improving the air circulation and drying surface water.
"Improving the airflow and air circulation promotes the movement of moisture and helps eliminate mold growth in porous materials," notes Herbst. "Airflow velocities across wet materials of 600 feet per minute (FPM) are adequate and equate to about 8 miles per hour." He shares the following guidelines to calculate how many air movers you need for the floor space and up to 24" on the walls:
- Place one air mover in each affected room to start the drying process.
- Measure the length and width of the room to calculate the square footage and divide the square footage by 70 and then by 50, giving you a range of air movers to place.
He adds, "Controlling the relative humidity level below 60% is essential to prevent secondary damage." The following calculations can be used to calculate the amount of initial dehumidification required, which is based on the 5%—40% of the room's surfaces that are affected.
- Calculate the volume of cubic footage of the affected area by multiplying length x width x height.
- Divide the cubic footage by 50, providing the number of pints per day of water to remove. The dehumidifier's rating specifies how many pints of water it will remove in a 24-hour period.
- Divide the number of pints to remove by the dehumidifier rating, and the result will be the number of dehumidifiers to use.
To put the above calculations in perspective, a 12' x 15' room with an 8' ceiling would require approximately five air movers and a dehumidifier that removes 30 pints per day. We recommend commercial dehumidifiers if available.
The affected materials need to be checked with a moisture meter to determine when they have reached acceptable moisture levels based on the material’s dry standard.
