Cleaning Up After a Plumbing Disaster

Most of us would agree that indoor plumbing is one of the best inventions ever—and it’s a staple in our daily lives. However, when that indoor plumbing bursts and causes a plumbing disaster in your home, you may need the help of a professional plumber for the cleanup. Burst pipes, flooding, and other disasters can quickly cause significant damage to your home so time is of the essence and you need to get in touch with a plumber right away. Here’s a quick checklist of what to do after a disaster.

1: Make Sure it’s Safe

If the plumbing leak or flooding occurred in an area where there are electrical appliances, outlets, or other electrical work, don’t go into the water until you shut off the power. You should also check the area for signs of other problems, such as the smell of gas or other contaminants that may have leaked into the water. Don’t go in the water if you think it might be at all unsafe; call a plumber to report it first and get help.

2: Remove Excess Water

If you are able to, start removing any excess water that you have in your home or business from the flood. Small amounts of water can be removed with a good old-fashioned mop, or perhaps a wet/dry vacuum, while larger amounts of water may require a pump to remove all of it. If you don’t have the necessary equipment, call a plumber that deals with disaster cleanup. 

3: Air It Out

Once the excess water is gone, it’s helpful to have some fresh air to dry the area out even quicker. You may want to blow some fans in the area of the flood, open windows if possible, and keep doors open if you can.

4: Remove Damaged Items

Not everything in your home will necessarily be damaged beyond repair, but in order to find out you will need the help of a professional. If your carpet is completely flooded or furniture has been standing in water for an extended period of time you may need to tear it out and have it replaced, but before you do, have a restoration contractor inspect it.

5: Inspect Walls

Once water (and flooring, if necessary) is removed from the area you need to have a professional inspect the drywall to find out if the water has seeped through. This kind of damage can be tricky because you may not notice that there is a problem, but water and moisture left inside your walls could lead to mold damage and mildew growth.

6: Make Repairs

Finally, you should talk to a plumber in Salt Lake City about making any necessary repairs to prevent the same or some other type of damage from happening in the future. Plumbers that specialize in disaster cleanup can help you inspect for other areas where there could be a risk in the future.