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When water damage occurs in your house you are racing against the clock. You must respond to the situation with 24-48 hours to help avoid mold spores infesting the building and to avoid expensive mold remediation.

Depending on the size of the affected area, the extent of the water damage and the resources you have available, professional assistance may be needed to dry an area quickly and thoroughly. The professionals at Advantage Restoration and Cleaning are always ready to help you with your disaster.

The following list has guidelines for responding to most water damage situations within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. Each material is followed by action steps you can take.

Books and Papers

• For non-valuable items, discard books and papers.
• Photocopy valuable/important items, discard originals.
• Freeze (in frost-free freezer or meat locker) or freeze-dry.

Carpet and Backing Pad - Dry within 24-48 hours

• Discard and replace.
• Reduce ambient humidity levels with dehumidifier
• Accelerate drying process with fans

Ceiling Tiles

• Discard and replace

Fiberglass and Cellulose Insulation

• Discard and replace

Concrete or Cinder Block Surfaces

• Remove water with water extraction vacuum
• Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters

Flooring - Linoleum, Ceramic Tile, Vinyl

• Vacuum or damp wipe with water and mild detergent and allow to dry; scrub if necessary
• Check to make sure under flooring is dry; dry under flooring if necessary

Upholstered Furniture

• Remove water with water extraction vacuum
• Accelerate drying process with dehumidifiers, fans, and/or heaters
• May be difficult to completely dry within 48 hours. If the piece is valuable, call us immediately.

Wallboard - Drywall and Gypsum Board

• Accelerate drying process with dehumidiMay be dried in place if there is no obvious swelling and the seams are intact. If not, remove, discard, and replacefiers, fans, and/or heaters
• Ventilate the wall cavity, if possible

Window Drapes

• Follow laundering or cleaning instructions recommended by the manufacturer

Wood Surfaces

• Remove moisture immediately and use dehumidifiers, gentle heat, and fans for drying. Use caution when applying heat to hardwood floors
• Treated or finished wood surfaces may be cleaned with mild detergent and clean water and allowed to dry
• Wet paneling should be pried away from wall for drying

These guidelines are for damage caused by clean water. If you know or suspect that the water source is contaminated with sewage, or chemical or biological pollutants, then personal protective equipment. An experienced professional should be consulted if you do not have expertise remediating in contaminated water situations. Do not use fans before determining that the water is clean or sanitary.

Finally, call your insurance company and determine if the water damage is covered under your homeowner’s policy. The experienced pros at Advantage Restoration and Cleaning can help you with this and all the other steps of water damage clean up when your next catastrophe happens.

All water restoration services are performed by our IICRC certified technicians who focus high-quality results and outstanding customer service above all else. Our services are 100% satisfaction and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you have a frozen pipe that breaks, don’t delay, call the professional water restoration at 734-878-3702 or contact them with our online appointment form now.