Bad weather is a difficult time for many of us, because of the water damage it consistently causes every year. The best way to avoid them is to prepare in advance, but we all know that bad weather always brings its share of unpleasant surprises.
When it rains hard, there’s unfortunately nothing to do but wait for it to stop… and then repair the damage afterwards. After all, don’t forget the old adage: “The sun always shines after the rain”. After a disaster, it’s important to clean up !
Find all our tips for recovering an Impec home after water damage.
The importance of cleaning up after water damage
Water damage can be a major catastrophe for the furniture and valuables in your home. Not to mention the fact that it also directly affects the condition of the house, leading to costly repairs in the long run.
The idea is to minimize damage to your property and homes.
The first thing to do is to make sure there’s no dampness left on the floor, to avoid the spread of mould, which is the main cause of deterioration of carpets, furniture and even walls. They also lead to poor air quality over the long term, and may cause respiratory infections of greater or lesser To clean up water damage, the first step is to eliminate all sources of fungal growth by drying and airing the interior of the house and all flooded objects. Bleach is a true weapon in the fight against mould proliferation.
Steps for cleaning up a house after water damage
There are a few steps to follow when cleaning up after water damage in the home, in order to be as effective as possible:
Disconnect the electricity
Start by unplugging all electrical wires and, if possible, switching off the main meter, to prevent any risk of electrocution from the wet floor. Move all wet electrical appliances, as well as any furniture and objects you can move. The sooner you get these items dry, the more likely they are to be salvaged or repaired later.
Take the opportunity to remove all carpets, disinfect them and air-dry them.
Dry out
Once you’ve made room for cleaning, it’s time to get rid of the water. Use mops or old towels, as they absorb water better. If you have standing water inside the house, scoop out as much as you can with buckets, then clean the floor with rags and mops.
You can then dry the affected area by opening the windows wide, so that the air can circulate and dry the room more quickly. Don’t hesitate to turn on your fan if you have one, so that the floor dries faster.
Desinfect
Disinfection is an indispensable step in cleaning up after a flood. The water that has penetrated the house is bound to have carried a lot of dirt and, above all, germs that carry diseases of all kinds. Once everything is dry, you must proceed with disinfection using a suitable product, such as a disinfectant multi-surface cleaner. Pay particular attention to nooks, and especially damp areas such as toilets and showers.
You can find all our tips for cleaning all types of floor in this article.
Hunt for mould
To ensure that no mould remains in your environment, we suggest you keep cleaning tile grouting and bathroom corners with bleach. Simply dilute a dose in 1 liter of water, then rub over the surface to kill any germs that may have stuck to it. Be sure to wear a mask and plastic gloves when handling this product, as it can irritate the skin and respiratory tract!