Why Fast Action Is Essential After Water Damage
We recently wrote about the various ways we can try to prevent floors and carpets from getting so wet that they can become damaged. This is a result of the extreme wet weather conditions we are currently experiencing here in the Cape. In fact, in some areas the 150 flood line has been exceeded, so that is potentially a lot more damage than we are talking about here.
This article deals with the standard sort of damage that can be obtained through leaking roofs, burst pipes or geysers, and overflowing baths or basins, etc. It is helpful to know, in cases like these, about why it is important to act, what to do when you see damage, and how to know when to call in professional floor or carpet suppliers and installers to assess whether repair or replacement is the more prudent course of action.
The main thing is to act quickly because when it comes to wet floors and carpets – fast action can prevent further damage!
Why should you act quickly to deal with wet floor damage?
It does depend on the type of floor or carpet, but, for example, Hardwood can swell and warp within just a couple of hours; carpets can capture water very quickly, making it impossible to get dry without professional methods, and Vinyl flooring, although it might hold up better to water, can still seep under to the sub-floor.
What action can you immediately take to prevent further damage?
Here are a few immediate actions that might save your floors or carpets from having to be completely replaced…
Stop the source – Unless you know the source of water is from rain, immediately cut off the water at the mains.
Move furniture and rugs – Move anything else that can be damaged by the water from the area.
Dry the water damaged area – Use fans, mops, towels or a wet/dry vacuum to dry the wet area as much as possible.
Dry the air – Open windows, use a dehumidifier, or fans, to allow as much air as possible into the area.
Check for hidden moisture underneath – Lift a corner of the floor or carpet to check for water under the surface if it is safe to do so. It may be better left to the professionals, though, which brings us to…
When to call the professionals about your water damage!
It is essential to remember that if you know the floor or carpet has had a lot of water fall on it, even if everything appears to be fine on the surface, there could be moisture trapped underneath, and this will lead to hidden damage. If you are not sure, call the professionals to come and assess what damage may have been done.
The best of these, if you live in Cape Town, is Libra Flooring, which has, for over 25 years, been helping people and businesses here to make their insurance claims (if applicable), estimate the damage, and with a motto of ‘A balance of quality and price’ either repair or replace damaged floors and carpets professionally and as cost-effectively as possible.
Contact us today, or visit our showroom in Montague Gardens – we look forward to meeting you!