Should I Clean Up Water Damage Myself (DIY)?
When you own a home, discovering standing water or previous water damage is a significant problem. Unaddressed water damage can lead to mold growth or further structural issues in the home. While many types of molds are harmless, some are toxic and can be hazardous to the home’s occupants.
The flood and water restoration process require a thorough approach to minimize the risks involved. You should understand the complexities before you decide to clean up water or flood damage yourself. This is true whether the water resulted from a natural disaster, flood water, burst pipe, leaky faucet, or another source.
The Water Damage Restoration Protocol
Every step of the professional water damage restoration process serves an important purpose, culminating with your home being returned to its previous pre-flood condition. A restoration company can help ensure that these steps are followed and that all moisture is removed from the affected area of your home.
- Inspection and assessment – Understanding the full extent of the damage so that you have an accurate scope of the work that needs to be completed.
- Water removal – Ridding the area of any remaining water so that clean-up and repairs can get underway.
- Drying and dehumidifying – Returning the environment to its previous state, so it is inhospitable to future water and mold growth.
- Cleaning and sanitizing – Removing any residues, mildew, or mold and making the area more inhabitable for home occupants.
- Complete restoration – Removing contaminated materials to restore the area to its previous condition.
Each step of the water damage cleanup process requires thorough care to ensure that there is no threat to the home’s structure and that the area is inhospitable to mold.
What You Should Know About Water & Flood Damage Before Taking a DIY Approach
A minor leak is a different story than an event with significant water pressure – If the job doesn’t entail significant water extraction or the need to dry the area out, it might be suitable for a DIY approach. An example might be a drain line’s slow drip leak (with no water pressure). At the very least, it could be handled by a plumber, handyman, or drywall specialist. These experts might be able to tell you if a restoration company is necessary. The key is to determine whether the leak appears small and contained.
It may take more than a shop vac, fans, and dehumidifiers to restore the area – Water restoration and remediation is an intensive process. A shop vac may not be enough to rid your home of significant amounts of standing water, and a few house fans won’t be as effective as professional-grade blowers. A professional restoration company will also use moisture detectors to ensure that the water damage cleanup is complete. There is an extensive process involved with restoration work that you may not be able to replicate without years of experience and expensive equipment.
The risk for mold, mildew, and other contaminants increases with time – When water is allowed to penetrate carpet, flooring, padding, drywall, or insulation, it creates a hospitable environment for mold and mildew. The drying process for these items can take weeks, and when mold or mildew is involved, it can take more time and become more expensive to mitigate.
Home insurance is your friend – Your home is your most valuable asset, and as such, it should be protected. If you’re considering the DIY approach to save money, it’s important to remember that homeowner’s insurance typically covers water damage. A professional water restoration company will work alongside your insurance company to ensure that your home’s impacted areas are restored to pre-loss condition.
Hire a Flood and Water Restoration Company
While small projects such as a leaky pipe may lend themselves to a DIY approach, any significant amount of standing water in the home might be a job more suited for a professional restoration company. The flood and water damage restoration protocol is detailed and must be thoroughly followed to ensure that the impacted area of your home is returned to its previous condition.
If you have standing water in your home or suspect water damage, it’s important to act fast. Contact Total Restoration of Texas right away!
We provide the following services, from start to finish
- Water Damage & Restoration
- Water Extraction & Removal
- Flood Damage Restoration – Including infrared imaging for moisture detection and antimicrobial agents on every mitigation we work.
- Fire & Smoke Cleanup and Restoration – Including ozone deodorization
- Structural Repair and Rebuilding – We’ll get you back to pre-loss condition and make sure you’re satisfied before we call your project complete.
Beyond your walls and ceilings, we’ll also take care of every little thing that matters.
- Content Inventory, Cleaning, and Storage
- Electronics Cleaning
- Furniture Repair
- Photo / Art Repair and Restoration
We restore flood-damaged homes and offices in these Austin-area communities:
- Austin
- Bee Cave
- Buda
- Cedar Park
- Georgetown
- Kyle
- Lakeway
- Leander
- Lockhart
- New Braunfels
- Pflugerville
- Rollingwood
- Round Rock
- San Marcos
- Sunset Valley
- West Lake Hills
Water damage? Let us handle the mess.
Drop us a line today or call for a quote!