Perhaps, water damage is one of the most frustrating problems homeowners may experience more than once in their lifetime. It refers to the damage caused by water infiltrating inside your home. Such an instance does not only cause inconvenience but could also result in damaging furniture, appliances, and electrical wiring.
In addition, water damage in your home may also produce unpleasant odors, which might indicate mold growth and poor indoor air quality and may put your health at risk. And if things get left untreated, the structure of your home’s foundation may also be compromised, which could lead to costly damage.
Causes Of Water Damage
Generally, water damage may be caused by several reasons, and here are some of them:
- Broken and leaking pipes
- Clogged gutters due to leaves and other debris
- Severe weather conditions causing destructive floods
- Damaged HVAC system, causing condensation and pipe leaks
- Blocked kitchen or bathroom drains
Whatever the cause is, it’s essential to address the water damage issue immediately to prevent further destruction of your property. And once the repairs are done, you can start cleaning everything up and redecorating.
Redecorating A Water-Damaged Home
Redecorating, in general, can be costly, time-consuming, and overwhelming. But it can help restore your house to how it was, add the changes you want, make it homier, and increase your home’s value.
With that, here are some tips to help you redecorate your home after serious water damage:
Consult A Water Damage Restoration Professional
Before you start redecorating your home, it’s crucial to ensure that it’s safe and completely free from water, especially if the cause is flooding. Although, note that leaving it to dry all by itself may encourage the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria and mold, which may cause illnesses.
To prevent this, it’d be ideal to seek water restoration Denton companies to assess the damage your home has sustained. Such professionals can help you navigate how to proceed with the next steps in restoring your home from its former glory.
Furthermore, here are some benefits of hiring experts to help you with your home restoration project:
Careful Damage Assessment
Experts can determine all the possible hazards around your home, such as exposed wires, wet sockets, etc. These professionals can identify the degree of damage and help you create a plan to address the situation effectively.
Efficient Water Removal
Experts use advanced equipment to ensure that every corner of your home is water-free. Such equipment includes powerful pumps and vacuums to extract tons of water efficiently and prevent the growth of microorganisms.
Effective Drying Process
With the help of advanced tools, experts can dry your home in no time, effectively reaching even hard-to-reach surfaces.
Depending on the services offered by the company you’ll be working with, they may also help you identify areas susceptible to condensation and give you tips on how you can prevent such instances from happening again. Furthermore, you may check out this video on how to prevent water damage in the future
Test Your Home For Mold Growth
After you remove all the water from your home, the next thing to do is to test it for mold growth. This way, you can prevent it from spreading across your home and protect your family from contracting different diseases, especially those at high risk. These include infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Fortunately, the testing process can be simple and spot-on, and you can do it yourself. To start, apply a few drops of bleach on suspected areas for mold growth, and wait for a couple of minutes. Note the reaction that may take place. If the area lightens, there could be a presence of mold. If nothing happens or it remains dark, it may probably be dirt. Additionally, you can identify the mold by creating a small hole in the suspected area to check if the rotting has started.
There are various ways in which you can get rid of the mold. For one, you can wash the infected areas with soap and rinse them with water. Remember to wear disposable protective gear and a mask before mold removal. Make sure to throw all the tools and equipment you use during mold removal to prevent them from coming back.
Replace Your Flooring
During a water damage incident, one of the areas that will likely be most affected is your home’s flooring. With that, it’s recommended to replace the flooring in your home.
To begin, check the extent of damage your flooring material sustained. Ensure to remove all that was affected, including the subflooring. Wood flooring and laminates are good water absorbers, causing them to warp and swell easily and encouraging microbial growth.
Carpets are also good at absorbing water. While washing and drying can be an option, it is recommended to replace the carpet if it has been soaked for longer than 72 hours. Nevertheless, if it is made from synthetic fibers, you may have to replace them as the material used may provide food for microorganisms. Furthermore, you may also want to check if the subfloor under your soaked carpets is wood. If they are, you may remove them as well.
After all of these have been done, you can install the new flooring you want for your home.
Check Your Interior Walls
Your home’s walls also need to be checked and assessed to find out what you need to do. Unlike the flooring, they aren’t easy to remove and replace, especially if they are load-bearing walls and support the upper floors.
Here’s what you can do instead:
- Wash your walls with soap and rinse them with water
- Deodorize them using a mixture of vinegar and water—one cup vinegar, one bucket of water.
- Clear any peeling or bubbly paint to smoothen the area.
- Replace those that are severely damaged with water-resistant panels.
- Avoid using insulations that absorb water, such as sponge types. You may use fiberglass insulation or polystyrene foam boards instead.
- You can improve the appearance of your walls with cement boards. They can be a good option since they don’t absorb water, preventing any occurrence of microbial growth. Alternatively, if cement boards aren’t available, you can use polyvinyl chloride paneling instead.
Once done, you can re-apply a fresh coat of paint to give your home’s interior a brand-new look. You can opt for waterproof paint, so your walls can withstand any battle with water, such as leaks and floods.
Repair Your Outdoor Walls And Windows
Once you’re done with your home’s interiors, it’s time to proceed and check the exterior areas for any damage, particularly the walls and windows. Usually, they suffer greatly due to environmental factors, such as storms, wind-carried objects, flying tree limbs, etc.
There are some tips you may consider when redecorating your outdoor walls and windows. For one, you can opt for waterproof materials when replacing them. You can also use solid bricks for exterior walls. With these materials, you may protect your home from possible water damage in the future, especially if you’re living in storm-prone areas.
Final Words
Redecorating your home after water damage can be challenging and time-consuming. However, it doesn’t have to be daunting. With the tips mentioned above, you can redecorate your home and restore its beauty. On the other hand, you can always call for professional services for much better and safer results.
