Water Damage Team Blog

After a devastating flood, the last thing you want think about is acting fast. To help prepare you for the possibility, read this list of 10 ways to repair and recover after a flood, from the restoration experts at Water Damage Team.

1. Be Prepared
Just in case you do not have the time or means to call a professional right away, it is good to be prepared for emergency flood situations. Always have a mop and plenty of towels around, and keep birth certificates, etc. in an airtight waterproof container.

2. Electricity
Before beginning any serious flood damage repair, make sure you turn off the power first and foremost. Trying to repair water damage with the electricity turned on is very dangerous.

3. Act Fast
Once you have turned off the electricity, it’s important to get as much water out as possible as fast as possible. Use Buckets, towels, mops, shovels, or anything the situation demands to get as much water off of the carpet, walls, and floors as possible. Dealing with this water immediately could save you thousands in water damage.

4. Remove Soiled Items
It’s a hard thing to do, but beginning a trash can of soiled items will make the job easier. Anything destroyed by water or still absorbing water must be thrown out to prevent further damage.

5. Get a Safe Place
On the flip side, all undamaged household items should be removed as well. Renting a hauling truck or trailer and putting your beloved items in a dry, safe place can save more time and money.

6. Fans
The best way to prevent water damage from becoming a major mold problem is air movement. Having an air mover would be the most efficient way, but make do with plenty of fans until professionals arrive.

7. Wipe Down Walls
After you’ve removed as much water as possible, take any clean towels or blankets and get as much water off the walls as possible. This could help prevent structural damage.

8. Begin Small Repairs
After you’ve removed and dried as much as you can, begin small repairs around the damaged areas. Also, check all windows and doors for water build-up.

9. Ventilate
When all is said and done, open every door, window, cupboard and drawer to air out (as long as it’s not raining) to get fresh air flowing through the house and keep the drying process going.

10. Call a professional
Even if you can deal with most of the problem by yourself, there is always the risk of unseen damage. Before, during, or after the damage occurs make sure to call a water damage specialist or team to come look at your situation as well.

Pet stains are smelly, unattractive, and difficult to remove. The only sure way to prevent a pet stain is to keep your pet outside or get rid of them. Since we all love our pets and want to keep them, we’ve put together these helpful tips to remove your pet stains indefinitely.

1. Act Fast
The sooner you begin clean up, the better with pet stains. Grab a towel and blot up as much of the stain as possible when it happens or as soon as you discover it.

2. Find It
If it’s an old pet stain, locate it easily with a black light. Urine stains glow under a black light, making them easier to find.

3. Choose a Cleaner
There are all kinds of cleaners and solutions to get out pet stains. An easy solution you can find in your home is just plain old laundry detergent. Put on a rag and scrub at the area until it seems like its scrubbed out pretty well.

4. Take Care of the Odor
To further remove the stain and assure it won’t leave a nasty smell, mix some warm water and vinegar together (1 quart water, ½ cup vinegar) and trickle over stain, covering completely.

5. Soak It Up
Place several clean towels over the area and press or walk over them so they’re absorbing as much of the liquid as possible.

6. Time It
Put a new towel or two over the stain and place a heavy object of some sort on top of it. Leave for 3-6 hours to absorb the stain and liquid completely.

7. Primp
Use a soft brush to pull the carpet fibers back up to looking normal after all that pressing.

8. Clean Up
Throw the dirty towels in the washing machine with some spray and wash, and you’re done!