How to Clean Water Out of Your Home after a Plumbing Leak

There are some important differences that separate getting flooded from clear water and that which is muddy and contains all kinds of contaminants. Sometimes things happen that cause the water running through your pipes to end up in your floor. When the problem is rather small and covers a limited amount of space, there is usually less water to clean up. The problem with smaller leaks, however, is often that they go unnoticed before they have had enough time to do potential damage to your flooring and/or floor coverings.

The first step to take after the water has been discovered is to stop the source. Find the source of damage and turn off the water valve to stop water flow. If you can’t locate the source of the water quickly, locate and turn off the main water valve. For the safety of you and your family, you should also turn off the electricity for the area where the water has flooded your home.

Work Quickly

If the area that is soaked is minimal and there appears to be no damage to the floor, walls or downstairs ceiling, your primary concern should be to work quickly to get moisture out. The longer the area is exposed to water, the more likely it is to grow mold and bacteria. Lemarg Rental is the best place to rent a dehumidifier in Toronto in the shortest possible time to remove any moisture from your home. Getting professional quality equipment fast can make the difference in the extent of damage caused by the water and the safety of you and your family from the health conditions caused by mold.

Open up any windows in the area to get fresh air flowing through the room. If you have fans, turn them on. Circulating fresh air will help remove some of the moisture. If you have a dehumidifier in the home, run it until the moisture is completely dry. Even after these steps, you will need to rent a professional quality dehumidifier in Toronto that will remove more water at a faster pace. Multiple dehydrators and additional drying equipment may be needed, depending on the amount of water remaining on the floor. Include photos of any equipment you have in use along with receipts or estimates for damage repair for insurance purposes.

If the water is standing on the floor or the carpet and padding beneath are completely saturated, a wet-dry vacuum should be used to remove it. This is another area where professional equipment will do a more effective job in the fastest time. Otherwise, water is almost impossible to remove from deep in the carpet and padding, creating a fertile ground for growing mold and bacteria.

After the Water is Gone

Once all of the moisture is gone, clean all affected areas with antibacterial cleaner that also eliminates mold and mildew. Once the moisture has dried, a flood restoration company can evaluate the condition of the flooring, dry wall and plumbing that was the source of the leak to start with. Have any repairs performed quickly and professionally to prevent any future damage.