Cleaning Up Water Damage after a Storm

A storm brings a lot of things that can cause damage to a home. Not only does one need to worry about high winds, but also heavy rains as well. The latter can cause extensive flooding in low lying areas and even those neighborhoods on high ground can be cut off for days. Electrical storms carry the risk of lightning damage and, depending on where one is in the world, there’s even the possibility of hail. While there are things that one can do to keep the damage down to a minimum, there really is no way that one can completely protect one’s home. The forces of nature are just too strong.

One of the most insidious things that can get into one’s home during a storm is water. This can be through anything, from a leaking window to an improperly constructed basement. A little water doesn’t seem that harmless but anyone who has had water damage to their home knows how dangerous it can be. It’s not just that water can wreak havoc on electrical items and wooden floors. If moisture isn’t dried properly then the growth of black mold could be encouraged. This particular substance is very nasty to look at and can cause respiratory ailments. Once it has gotten a foothold, it is very difficult to get rid of and requires specialist expertise.
Even when water damage is obvious, many people believe that it can be cleaned up by just soaking up the excess and air drying the rest. This may work for some surfaces but others, such as carpets, will have to be specially treated with industrial strength blowers to ensure that they are completely dry. Some items may even need to be thrown out as even the slightest bit of moisture can cause it to start to degrade. One should try to immediately wipe down whatever one can and call in an expert as soon as possible.

It’s a sad fact that storm damage is often extensive and the clean up can be a very difficult task. How much effort must go into it will depend on the extent of the damage itself. There may a blown off roof to deal with, debris to be removed from the yard, and there’s almost certainly some degree of water damage to deal with. This can be very overwhelming for a homeowner, especially one who might have not have been familiar with handling such things. If this sounds like one’s situation then consider using a professional restoration company.

Weather is rough on Michigan property owners

Winters freezing temperature may take their toll on your piping. Sub-zero temperature can cause pipes to crack or even burst leaving your home damaged with water. Winter isn’t the only thing trying to harm your home. Improperly sealed bathtubs and washing machines can also cause water damage. Hoses could be damaged creating leaks and improperly sealed bathtubs could leak into basements. Heavy rains, clogged pipes, or even sump pump failure can result in nasty sewage water in your basement. Waste water should not be handled on your own. Having a water removal company extract the water is the safest choice. Sewage water can contain bacteria such as e.coli and hepatitis a. Pipes aren’t the only source of leaks. Having poor roofing could result in water in your bedrooms and living rooms. Furniture, tables, and other personal belongings could be damaged. Cracks in the homes foundation can also lead to water damage. If you happen to live near a lake or river your home could be at a higher risk of flooding. Ground water can seep through to your basement. This is why it’s important to have flood insurance. Regular home insurance doesn’t include floods, but flood insurance can be purchased if you community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.


Having water in your home to long could reduce the success of having personal belongings restored. Stop excessive water from piping by shutting of the homes main water valve. Depending on how much water there is you might consider calling a professional water removal company. Cleaning standing water can help reduce the risk of mold growing, but to be safe contact a specialist to determine walls and ceilings are clean too. Next, if accessible without harming yourself or others turn off the electricity. Open windows and use fans to speed up the drying process. Clean water up with mops, towels, and sponges. Use strong disinfectants such as water and bleach on walls and floors to remove mold or fungus. Make sure to wear protective gear such as rubber glove, boots, and a face mask. If salvable take furniture outside garage, or somewhere dry. You can clean these off with water and bleach, but test it first to insure that it doesn’t harm the furniture. Water damage repair can be very costly so it’s important to contact your insurance company. Your policy could help in repairs.

Making sure you home is protected against the elements can make all the difference. Regularly check piping to determine that water is flowing freely. You can test the water main system by turning off the main water valve. If there is activity on the meter during this time and no water is being used there could be a leak. You can help reduce the chance of leakage by caulking around sinks and in bathtubs where tiles meet at their edges. Slow drainage in sinks or showers is an indication of blockage and can cause pipes to burst. You can buy drainage products to help break up blockage or if this doesn’t work contact a plumber. For the basement a great defense against unwanted water is a sump pump. A sump pump will trigger on when excessive water is in the home and divert it out through the homes piping systems. Always take precautions to insure that you home is protected against the elements and that piping, washers and faucets, ect. are working properly.