One of the most affected places due to a flood is the basement. It takes time to deal with it and sometimes it can cost you a lot of money. In most cases, flooding is not covered by insurance. The cost of restoring your building after water damage can range between $1450 and $7600.
Such costs discourage homeowners from seeking help and try to fix it themselves. Sometimes it may be successful but other times you just need to hire a water damage repair Toronto professional. To know when the right time to do it yourself is, here is what to consider.
What to Consider
Making the right decision can save you a lot of time. To know if you are making the right decision and to choose the best Toronto restoration company, there are things you must consider. Here are they outlined for you.
Amount of Water
There is an amount of water you can manage on your own. Small or moderate flooding is manageable. However, you should ensure you have all the necessary tools. However, if the flooding continues to rise, ask for help from professionals in Ontario.
Source of Water
Where the water is coming from is also a very important consideration. The type of water flooding your basement will help you decide which step to take. If it is clean water coming from rain and the flood is manageable, you can do it. Clean water doesn’t contain any bacteria that may affect you.
Gray water flood contains some bacteria but if you are careful, you can manage on your own. This type of water comes from sources such as dishwashers and washing machines. However, if it is black water, just contact a professional. Black water contains all kinds of bacteria and other infectious organisms. Trying to remove it on your own puts you at risk.
Damage
The damage caused by the flood should also be considered. If it is just small damage you can do it yourself. However, if you are dealing with damages going to the upper levels of your house, you should call a professional. If the flooding is too deep and affecting any electrical equipment, dealing with it on your own can be dangerous.
DIY Water Damage Cleanup
If after considering the above factors, the problem is manageable, here is how to go about it.
Be Safe
The first thing you need to do is turning off all the electrical sources in the house. If you can’t remove the electric meter yourself, ask for help from a person who knows how. The next thing is wearing some protective clothing. Ensure the water doesn’t come in contact with your skin while you are getting rid of it.
Remove the Water
A wet vacuum can be used to remove the water if the amount is small. If the flood is slightly deep, you can hire a water pump. If the amount is too much in the basement, removing it all at once is not a good idea. Remove a third of the water daily. Removing it all at once can cause the walls to collapse due to the pressure that will be lost when you remove the water.
Dry
Mold can grow within a day so you need to act fast. A few fans in the area will do it. However, if it is a larger area, you might want to consider hiring a dehumidifier.
Disinfect
Make sure to disinfect anything that came in contact with the water. Do it ASAP to prevent mold growth.
Save What You Can
Unfortunately, most of your stuff may be beyond saving. This doesn’t mean you should give up on everything though. Some things can still be cleaned and dried and be used. For example, you can save the wood from a chair if it wasn’t on water for far too long.
At the end of the day, if you are looking for a quick and efficient restoration of your house, contact us at Emergency 101. We are here to help you with any water damage.