Water Damage In Your Home? What You Can Do
If your home is damaged by water, there are a few things you need to do to prevent mold and mildew from growing. The wood in your home can soak in moisture and is a great place for mold and mildew to grow. The mold and mildew can grow rather quickly, so you have to act quickly as well. Read on for what you can do to prevent this from happening in your home.
Remove The Drywall, Carpet Padding, Etc.
You have to remove anything that isn't going to be able to be salvaged, such as carpet padding, drywall, and even the sub-floor if necessary. You need to cut out these areas out and remove them completely from your house to prevent a mold and mildew problem. Even if you suspect they are dried out enough, they may not be as dry as you think, and you'll have mold in no time at all.
Inspect The Floor Joists And Wall Studs
Inspect the area that had water damage that is staying such as wall studs, floor joists, and even the roof joists, you need to look at these to see if they need replacing. If they were soaked with water, these may also need to be removed, but if they don't appear too damaged by water, you can use a mold preventative instead. If these areas are just a little wet, use a dehumidifier to dry out the bones of your house. You need to be sure they are dry before you attempt to use a mold preventative.
Paint With A Mold Preventative
Use a mold preventative to seal in the mold spores and prevent them from growing through. Paint a product on these areas to prevent the mold and mildew and to seal it and prevent any moisture issues as well. Cover the areas as needed and apply a second coat if need be.
Keep The Wall, Floor, Or Ceiling Open
Before you attempt to replace the drywall on your walls, ceiling, or sub-floor, be sure you allow the area to dry thoroughly and that there isn't any mold or mildew growth. Leave these areas open for a few days at least to be completely sure. The last thing you want is to have a mold or mildew issue after you've made the repairs to your home.
If you have water damage, you need to make the repairs properly to ensure you don't have any issues later down the road. Contact a water damage restoration service to get help with your water damage.