Categories Water Damage

Steps to Take Immediately Following Water Damage

Woman catching water in a bucket that is leaking from her ceiling.

When a bathroom or kitchen pipe bursts or seeps, it’s important to take proper steps immediately to avoid further damage. Water damage can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can, in turn, lead to health risks. Fortunately, if you follow the steps below, you should quickly restore your home in West Palm Beach Florida, to a livable condition. Here are the necessary steps to take following water damage.

1. Protect Yourself, Valuables, and Appliances

Turn off the water supply at the meter or nearest faucet. Immediately move any valuables out of the room, such as money and jewelry, if the water has entered an electrical outlet box or washer/dryer compartment. Treat items that may be wet with a dehumidifier, if available, to remove excess moisture. Unplug all appliances from the wall before entering. Disconnect the main water supply if the source of the water damage is in a vacant room, such as the garage or basement. If the source of the water damage is in a basement, you should open a window to allow fresh air to enter. Turn off all electrical switches and appliances that are not being used.

2. Contact the Insurance Company

If there is more than $200 in damage, you will likely need to file a claim with your insurance company. With proper documentation, you can expedite the claims process. Take photos of the damage in each room and make a list of any items that you ruined. If possible, take before and after measurements of the water damage to help assess how much repair work is needed.

3. Use a Moisture Meter to See Where the Water Has Entered

Moisture meters are very useful in finding hidden water damage. The moisture meter will help you identify whether water has traveled under your walls or through kitchen and bathroom cabinets. The moisture meter can detect whether standing water is hidden underneath the surface of carpets and floors, which may not be detectable by sight alone.

4. Dry Things Out Quickly

The most immediate remedy is to dry all of the wet items. Wipe, sponge, and squeeze the water out of pajamas and bedding. Wet clothes should be placed in plastic bags for transportation to the laundromat or someplace where they can be safely laundered. Cleaners can remove fabric odors with basic products like vinegar and baking soda.

5. Dehumidify When Necessary

The next step is to remove the excess moisture from your home. If you do not have a dehumidifier, you can use a fan to blow air across the wet area. The fan will help evaporate any remaining moisture in the room, while the dehumidifier will extract the moisture from the air and deposit it into a drain or bucket.

6. Clean and Restore Your Home

The final step is to wipe down all surfaces with a disinfectant. Use a mop and water for hardwood floors or paper towels for carpeting. You can use rags or paper towels if you do not have a mop and bucket. As you dry the room’s surfaces, use environmentally friendly cleaning products that are safe for kids and pets. Also, check the odors of your cleaning products before using them since some cleaners contain toxic chemicals that can leave harmful residue. If there is mold, consult a professional for guidance on reigning it in. Once the clean-up is complete, you should restore your home to normal condition.

Contact the Professionals

At Clean Air Experts, we understand that this process can be stressful. For these reasons, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our services. Our services include water damage repairs, restoration, mold removal, mold remediation & testing, and odor removal. We utilize the latest equipment and techniques to ensure that your home is properly restored in a timely fashion. We won’t stop at just removing the water, either; we’ll help you return to normalcy. Contact us today for more information about water damage remediation services or to schedule an appointment.

Categories Water Damage

Prepare Your Home for A Rainy Hurricane Season

Palm Tree blowing in the wind as a storm approaches.

If you live in West Palm Beach, Florida, you already know the impacts that a hurricane season can have on your home. Over the years, water damage has caused devastating pain to various homeowners, and you certainly don’t want to be the next on the victim’s list. You must incorporate multiple strategies and prepare your home for the upcoming hurricane season. The following tips can help you protect your home during a rainy hurricane season.

Seal Water Leak Areas

First, you must identify and seal all the water leak areas around your home. These could be in the form of cracks, holes, or even gaps. Once you’ve located them, apply a sealant so that water doesn’t seep through during heavy rains. You can also use caulking for this purpose. A water leak detection system can also be installed to give you an early warning in case water starts seeping through any cracks. You can also rely on a water leak detection expert to help identify problem areas in and around your home.

Replace Old Roofing

Water damage repairs can be pretty expensive, and one of the best ways to avoid it is by ensuring that your roof is in good condition. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, it’s advisable to replace your old roofing with new impact-resistant materials. This will go a long way in protecting your home from water damage during heavy rains and hurricanes. Some of the best materials for this purpose include stainless steel, impact-resistant shingles, and concrete tiles.

Install Gutters and Downspouts

Your gutters are vital in protecting your home from water damage during heavy rains. They help channel water away from your home and into the storm drains. However, if your gutters are not correctly installed or maintained, they can end up causing more harm than good. That’s why it’s essential to ensure that they are installed correctly and well-maintained. You should also install downspouts so that water can be directed away from your home.

Reinforce Your Windows

You don’t want to deal with expensive water damage repair after the hurricane season strikes. That’s why you must take the necessary steps to reinforce your windows. The best way to support windows is by installing impact-resistant windows. These are designed to withstand high winds and flying debris. You can also use hurricane shutters or plywood to protect your windows from breaking during hurricane season.

Trim Hedges and Trees

Strong winds can cause tree branches and hedges to fall on your home and cause severe damage. That’s why you need to trim them before the hurricane season starts. You should also remove any dead branches or trees that could threaten your home. A local tree service company can help you with this.

Secure Your Garage Door

Garage doors are one of the most vulnerable parts of your home during a hurricane. That’s because they can easily be blown away by strong winds. If you don’t want to deal with expensive repairs, you need to secure your garage door. You can achieve this by installing a hurricane-resistant garage door. You can also use hurricane straps or clips to secure the door.

Conclusion

Clean Air Xperts is your ultimate water remediation company in West Palm Beach, Florida. Our highly trained and certified technical experts can handle any water damage repairs. We offer extensive services such as water extraction, fire damage restoration, and mold removal services. Contact us today for emergency services.

Categories Flood Damage, Restoration Service, Water Damage

Effects of Water Damage on a West Palm Beach Home

If you are experiencing water damage, West Palm Beach residents might think it’s not a big deal. Isn’t it only water after all? Incorrect! Stray water may cause water damage in the house if left unchecked.

This blog will explain the severe effect of water damage. West Palm Beach residents must take notes to protect their houses and call an expert without delay when needed.

Effects of Water Damage

Your house is vulnerable to water damage whenever and wherever water enters. Even while the origins of water damage are varied, its impacts on a property are almost always the same.

Water is the universal solvent; dissolving more compounds than any other liquid is one of the many reasons water damage in a house is so detrimental. Because of this, it may do severe structural damage to your house and leave behind a trail of devastation in its wake. Water damage has the potential to have far-reaching consequences. A water damage repair business should be contacted if there is any water damage.

Mentioned below are some of the most common effects of water damage West Palm Beach houses can encounter:

  • Jeopardize the Structure

Damage to structures results from the water surrounding the afflicted region. When the drywall and subfloor start to degrade, you’ll have to replace and restore the damaged parts. Even brick, concrete, or stone foundations may absorb modest quantities of water via their pores and fractures. If the water pockets are not eliminated, the building’s foundation may develop flaws that damage the whole structure. It damages the structural integrity of your house, but it also damages the health of you and your family. Remove any mold from your property as quickly as possible.

  • Effects on Resident’s Health

 Floodwaters may introduce dangerous germs and other organisms into a building or company. Toxicity can remain long after the moisture has dried up, if your furnishings, upholstery, and HVAC system are not adequately handled. There are several health risks associated with such germs and microorganisms.

  • Causes Mold Formation

 If you have ever had leakage or flooding in your house, you know that mold development is one of the worst consequences of water damage. Even a tiny amount of water at the proper temperature may trigger mold growth in as little as 48 hours. When mold is present, treatment and removal may be very costly and challenging. Mold may also spread and create health problems if left unchecked.

  • Destroys Property Value

The symptoms of water damage are tough to disguise. They’ll typically expose themselves to any examiner regardless of how much you try to repair problematic parts or repaint away the stains. Additionally, when you do not clean or treat the water, an unpleasant stench might persist, definitely driving purchasers away. Another significant impact that might emerge after water damage is the pollution of black water. Blackwater is among the worst forms of water that may enter your house since it can contain viruses that can cause significant sickness if swallowed. The existence of black water may cause significant harm to the property worth of your home by ruining its infrastructure and aesthetics.

  • Damages Electrical Appliances

Moisture-damaged electrical systems, including wiring, switches, and electrical boxes, are rendered unusable until an expert assesses them. Household appliances, washers and dryers, machines, electrical connections, sewer lines, hot water tanks, fireplaces, and low-mounted power outlets are the most common locations for electrical water damage. A significant amount of money might be spent on their upkeep or repair.

  • Destroys Personal Property

In addition to damaging a home or business structure, water may swiftly ruin personal goods such as pictures, books, electronic devices, and personal papers. Water damage may have a detrimental impact on your belongings if you don’t move promptly and contact a water damage restoration specialist.

  • Results in More Insects

Mosquitoes, insects, worms, ticks, and many more creatures may thrive in sections of your house that have been affected by water damage because they thrive in wet conditions. Even worse, the emergence of the eggs and the decomposition of the dead bugs would attract even more bugs to the region. Because of this, bacteria are considered to be one of the most devastating impacts of water damage.

Conclusion

Above mentioned effects clearly explain why it’s critical to respond fast if you have water damage in your house. You’ll be able to lessen the harm water has on your property and save money on cleanup and repair. If there’s an issue with the air quality in your home or business, contact CleanAirXperts first. Call us if you don’t understand how to do it: we’re here to assist you in fixing up water damage and restoring your property to its pre-water damage state.

Categories Flood Damage, Water Damage

Water Damage Restoration in West Palm Beach

We need to take a lot into account before commencing the restoration works. This includes the type of damage, the severity of the event, and the property type. Here are some tips to help you through this process.

  1. Identify the Source

The first step in water damage restoration is to identify the source. This is important because it will allow you to determine the type of damage, its severity, and its cause. Water damage can result from various sources, including burst pipes, leaks, floods, and freezing. This is important because it will affect your restoration efforts and their cost.

  1. Determine the Severity

The next step is to determine the severity of the damage. This will help you decide how much damage there is and how serious it is. It also helps in determining what type of restoration services are required.

For example, if it’s a minor issue with no visible damage, you may need only a few materials to fix it without spending too much money. However, if there’s significant damage that needs extensive repairs, you may need to contact a professional company, such as Clean Air Xperts, to help you with the restoration.

  1. Remove the Water

The next step is to remove the water from the area. This is one of the most critical steps to prevent further damage. If you fail to do this, you’re likely to have mold and mildew grow on your carpets and other areas. This can make your home an unhealthy environment for yourself and your family members.

  1. Dry the Area

If there’s still water in the area, you need to dry it out as soon as possible. This will prevent mold and mildew from growing on it, which can cause respiratory issues for you or your family members. If there are no visible signs of damage, it’s good to get professional help with this step to avoid creating any new problems or worsening existing ones while doing so.

  1. Clean the Area

After removing the water and the mold, you also need to clean up that area so that it doesn’t create any new problems for you or your family members. This includes doing things such as vacuuming up any remaining water droplets and removing any visible signs of mold or mildew growth on carpets, furniture, etc. You should also clean all of the surfaces in your home to remove any dirt or debris that may have fallen onto them since the flooding occurred.

  1. Return the Areas to its Original State

Once you’ve done all of the above, you need to return the areas to their original state. This means that you need to remove all traces of damage from them and clean them thoroughly so that they don’t create any new problems for you or your family members. This is where Clean Air Xperts can help.

If you need to get rid of the damage caused by water in your home, be sure to let our West Palm Beach experts do what they know best. All of the above information is important for helping you achieve this goal. Call us at (561)-678-5612 any time!

Categories Water Damage

Keeping Your Home Safe with Mold Testing

Man repairing collapsed ceiling

Mold is an issue that can cause a lot of problems around your Boynton Beach home. It is a common problem caused by water damage. It can also become a problem in areas of the home where there is a lot of condensation that builds up on a regular basis.

Beyond the fact that mold can cause dry rot and lead to structural damage, it is also a safety issue from a health standpoint. It is because of these factors that effective testing by experienced mold remediation professionals is necessary to determine the full extent of the issue.

A Look at Why It Is Important to Test for Mold

Testing for mold can make a big difference in the overall well-being of you and everyone else who resides in your home. Mold is linked to health issues that include coughing, wheezing, skin rashes, itchy/watery eyes, and runny nose, among other issues. It can be particularly harmful to those who suffer from asthma or significant mold allergies.

Mold remediation professionals can identify the presence of mold through the use of advanced techniques so that they can then begin the process of removal. Taking quick action is essential when a mold issue is identified as it will only continue to spread if left alone.

What Do You Do If You Have a Mold Problem in Your Home?

When a mold problem has been identified in your home, your local remediation professionals are only a phone call away. They have the required knowledge, equipment, and experience needed to effectively get the issue under control.

  • Safety Precautions: Trained mold remediation professionals will always take all necessary safety measures to ensure that your home is protected from the dangers of exposure to mold.
  • Effective Preventative Measures: Effective mold remediation is necessary to seize control of the situation within your home. The process is designed to stop the spread of mold so that it will not damage your home or your health.
  • The Use of the Right Equipment: Experienced mold remediation professionals have specialized equipment that is designed to isolate and remove mold from all areas of your home.
  • Limit Future Contamination Problems: Another key element of mold removal and remediation involves taking steps to limit the possibility of future contamination issues.

You can count on our team at Clean Air Xperts for all of your testing and mold treatment needs here in the Boynton Beach area. We are the region’s leading mold remediation specialists and our knowledgeable and friendly team members are ready to get to work resolving the issues you are experiencing at your home. Give us a call or leave us a message to request service. We are available 24/7 for the property owners here in Boynton Beach and are ready to offer you a service estimate today.

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