Cleaning Up After Water Damage: A Step-by-Step Guide 2023

Cleaning up after water damage can be a very dangerous task. Before you do anything, make sure that you've turned off the electricity in the water damaged area. Additionally, if an ongoing leak caused the damage, identify the source of the leak and shut its water source off. We explain how to do this in our blog.

Step One: Remove the Water

The first step is getting rid of the water. If you're suffering from a heavy influx of water, the most basic solution is to use buckets to move it out of the property. This is a slow, but sure method of removing water. Alternatively, for help with pumping a large amount of water away, you can contact your local fire service.

If your property is prone to flooding, the likelihood is that you need a more robust solution, which is where water pumps come in; you can buy water pumps from specialist retailers or online. If you've got a water pump on-hand, you might need to check the government’s guidance on pumping water.

An even more powerful solution is to use an engine-powered water pump. However, these can be much more expensive than commercial water pumps, which is why they're usually only used by professionals. Whatever method you use, removing the water as quickly as possible will reduce the chances of it causing more damage.

Step Two: Dry the Building

Even after removing the water, you'll still have water hanging around in the form of damp and moisture in the air. This will encourage damp, rot and mould growth, so it's important to dry everything out completely.

Fans designed for heavy-duty air circulation are your friend here. Getting the moist air to move around the house will help to dehumidify and force the air to dry out.

For bigger areas of damage, i.e. damage caused by a flood, you might need a professional dehumidifier. You could choose to rent one of these from a tool rental service, or instruct a specialist building drying service to help.

The important thing is making sure that moisture has been completely removed. You don't want any moisture to remain, especially while furniture and fittings are so vulnerable and it could also cause further issues such as mould growth.

Step Three: Clean, Disinfect and Document

After you've removed all the moisture from your home, you need to disinfect the affected areas. During this process, you should also start documenting the damage with pictures. You may need to throw some items away, such as water-damaged carpets or mattresses. Fabric-based furniture will be very difficult to recover and mould could already be infecting them.

If there is any mould growing on your furniture, depending on its severity, you could try to wipe it off using a damp cloth and warm water mixed with bleach. Remember to wear protective equipment when using dangerous chemicals. Afterwards, hand-clean your furniture using a strong disinfectant. You can also try to get rid of any lingering moisture using a desiccant dehumidifier, which can be found in most large DIY stores.

Your contents will often need to be cleaned professionally to ensure they are safe to use again and to restore them to their former glory. If they’re delicate or have sentimental value, like antiques or books, it’s worth looking around locally for a specialist cleaner.

A specialist water damage restoration company can take care of all these aspects on your behalf and CPL t/a Rainbow International can liaise with your insurance company to minimise the stress for you.

Step Four: Restore and Replace

Water damage will likely affect floors, walls or ceilings so much that they may need restoring or, worst case, replacing. This is especially true of wooden structures which are vulnerable to rot. If you don’t tackle these issues now, your house could face drastic structural problems in the future. Your insurance policy will also demand that you fix these problems as soon as possible.

This is a big task, so you may not even be able to spot structural elements affected by water damage. You’ll want to consider hiring a professional water damage restoration service, such as that offered by CPL t/a Rainbow International. Our engineers can help you assess any structural damage as quickly as possible.

Although your insurance policy demands that you act quickly in the face of water damage, it can also help to pay for restoration services. That's why documenting the damage is so important. With evidence, you can prove the water damage to your insurance provider.

CPL t/a Rainbow International always aim to restore or repair items wherever possible, rather than just stripping everything out regardless of its condition.

If you are struggling with water damage due to a flood or a major leak, get in touch with CPL t/a Rainbow International today. We understand the urgency of the work needed and specialise in a 24-hour rapid response service for all of our water damage and flood damage restoration services.

You can contact us on 0800 030 4360 or e-mail us.