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Do It Yourself Water Damage Repairs

As much as homeowners try to prevent water damage, accidents still inevitably happen. The water supply line connected to the washing machine could suddenly explode while doing the laundry. A broken interior pipe could start leaking and cause deterioration within the walls. The overhead fire sprinklers could be unintentionally triggered and spray water on all the floors, books, and furniture inside the house.

In the event of water damage disasters like these, a homeowner's first instinct is to call restoration specialists right away. Seeking professional help may be the best thing to do, especially for cleanup tasks that are too big and too difficult for the homeowners to try to handle on their own.

Homeowners can choose to leave everything up to the professionals, but in the interest of saving money and cutting back on costs, the simple and minor damages can be fixed right at home. Here are some examples of those minor water damage repairs that homeowners can do themselves without the help of professional restoration services.
- A leaky roof made out of tiles or shingles is easy to repair. Simply find the faulty pieces and carefully lift them around the edges to remove. Scrape off any old leftover cement or adhesive. Slide in the new tiles or shingles and hammer in with nails. Seal the pieces including the nail heads with roof cement.
- If the water damage came from leaky flashings, buy new flashings to place over the old ones. Use a strong adhesive or roofing tar to fasten the new flashings and to make the area airtight and watertight.
- If it's the chimney that's letting water damage in, considering putting a chimney cap on its opening.
- Snow on the roof can cause ice dams, leaks, and the entire roof to cave in. Remove snow from the roof using a long handled rake. Start stripping off the snow from the lowest part of the roof in 6 to 12-inch layers. Gradually work up towards the top of the roof, using a ladder if necessary. Never try to walk on a snow-covered roof and always be mindful of protecting the shingles while removing the snow.
- Clothes, drapes, and other fabrics that have sustained water damage can be put in the dryer or hung on a clothesline. Remember that the water damage might have left stains on the fabrics so wash them completely prior to drying.
- Books and documents that have only gotten wet around the edges can be repaired right at home. Homeowners can dry them out using fans or blow dryers, or simply leave them out to air dry. Keep in mind that inks, printing, and photographs are highly sensitive to sunlight so dry them indoors to prevent further damage.
- Prop up wet couch cushions, pillows, and mattresses so that they dry out evenly. This will also prevent mold growth on the unexposed side.
- Use commercially available air filters and purifiers to improve the quality of air indoors. These will get rid of contaminants from water damage and prevent mold growth inside the house.

About the Author

Byron Zoucks speaks about homeowner issues for water damage restoration blog and residential water damage restoration company

Author Profile: ZouckB

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