Health and Safety Tools
Depending on the type of water you’re cleaning up, you may need to take extra safety precautions to avoid unsanitary contaminants. So before you even get started, gather these items to help limit your contact with bacteria, fungi, viruses and whole host of other yucky stuff you don’t want to touch: rubber or plastic disposable gloves, respirators and protective eyewear. You’ll also want to wear clothes that you don’t mind throwing away after you are finished. Learn more about the dangers of sewage. Lastly, you should also keep kids and pets away while cleaning; in this case, a sitter might be the best tool for the job.
Basic Tools for Excess Water
Once you’ve stopped the water source (and donned your safety gear), you can begin cleaning up the mess that’s left behind. Depending on how much water you are dealing with, you may need to use a cup to scoop up excess water into a bucket and remove it from your home. Once excess water is removed, you can begin drying floors. For your non-carpeted floors, use a mop or old towels. Super absorbent towels work wonders since they absorb much more water than regular towels and are easily wrung out for repeated reuse.
Tools for Removing Moisture
Next, you’ll need fans and dehumidifiers. Fans, along with opening windows and doors, get air moving, and dehumidifiers pull moisture straight from the air. If you have these tools, go ahead and start using them immediately. A professional water removal service will have these tools if you don’t.
Professional Water Extraction Tools
Once you’ve removed as much water as you can on your own, it’s time to call a professional water removal company. They have powerful tools that will rid your home of all the excess water you can’t get out yourself. This is especially important if you have carpet. The best companies will use state-of-the art technology to get your carpets dry. For example, Accutech uses the Hydro-X Extreme Extractor™ which is 5–6 times faster than conventional drying methods. They are also gentle on your carpet: they can remove water from your carpet and the padding underneath without ripping it up. Without such powerful tools, you will not be able to dry your carpets completely. This leaves you vulnerable to the fast and invasive growth of mold, which is not only gross and smelly, but also a potential health hazard.
Tools for Measuring Moisture
Once you’ve removed all visible signs of water and dried out your floors, you might think you’ve removed all of the water in your home. But, there are additional tests needed to ensure your home is completely dry. This is where moisture meters come in. The best professional water extraction companies will use 3 different meters to measure moisture levels. One meter is for carpets and floors. Another is for baseboards, cabinets, walls and ceilings. The third one is for humidity in the air. These moisture-measuring tools are the final step in making sure water has been removed from your home.
If you’re unsure of how to do any of this water extraction yourself or feel as though it might be too difficult or large of a project to handle yourself, be sure to give us a ring. We’re here to assist!