Generally, water damages that are mild by nature are not as challenging as some extensive damages that should be left only to experts. Different remedies are available for damages incurred by ceiling, drywall, cell phone, recreational vehicle, and hardwood floor. Most water damage in houses are a result of faulty construction, improper maintenance and lack of awareness of humidity, vapor and condensation in the house environment. Rotting wood, rusting steel, de-laminating of materials are other causes of such problems.
Ceiling
Above the water drip, there would be an attic (floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage). If you can access it, try to find the roof leak in it. Using a bucket under the leak, catch the water and remove any standing water using water absorbing rags. In case you are unable to fix water damage at once, then tarp the roof so as to prevent water leakage and work on it once the weather clears. The damp spot in the ceiling has to be left dry and cleared of any flaking paint or drywall. After the repaired area dries, use a stain sealer to seal any stained area and then repaint.
Drywall
Repairing water damage in drywall depends upon the size of the damaged area. The area that has been damaged by water should be isolated. Cut out the damaged part of the drywall and let air circulate through the opening. The moisture should be dried up within 12 hours and once everything dries, replace the drywall with studs. Thereafter, place a new drywall patch on the hole. In case, the hole is too large, then a plywood backer board can be installed over the studs in order to keep the new drywall in place. After this, you would have to nail in the drywall patch to the backer board. Using a putty knife, make the joint compounds to spread over the edges. The final step would be to tape off the joint in the intersection of the drywall and the existing wall. After having a smooth finish, repaint the drywall.
Cell Phone
Water can cause extensive damage to phones and other electronic devices. This is because, when water enters the inner part of the phone, it may cause short circuit and leave a nasty damaged part of the device. As soon as you realize that water has entered into your device, do not turn on the phone. Remove the battery immediately, the SIM card and memory card (if any). Leave the cell to dry out for about 1 hour or two, and check if it is still wet. Once you are completely sure that the cell has dried, you can switch it on. If you are unsure about what to do, carry the cell to a service center.
(Recreational Vehicle) R.V.
Repairing water damage in a recreational vehicle, can turn out to be an expensive nightmare. So it is necessary to have a regular check for any signs of such problems in the R.V. First of all, the roof of the vehicle should undergo a thorough inspection. If you find any kinds of leaks that may be the cause for the water to drip inside, then apply waterproof sealant to it. If there are any kinds of discoloration or wrinkles in the wallpaper, then it may indicate a water leakage. The utility panel, cabinets, inside compartments, area below the mattresses and exterior surface of the R.V. should be checked for any water damage.
Hardwood Floor
Cleaning the hardwood should be the first step in the repair work. Remove moisture from above and below the surface of the wood using fans, dehumidifiers and other drying methods. After having left it to dry, screen, fill and re-coat to fix the hardwood flooring. However, in case there has been any stain due to the water damage, then refinishing may be required. Water leakage may also damage the entire flooring. In such a case, hardwood refinishing, and sanding would be required to restore the hardwood's original look and feel.
Water damage in house can be avoided from regular maintenance and professional help. Some places where you can inspect such problems are kitchen (dishwater, refrigerator and sink), bathroom (showers and bathtubs, sinks and toilets), laundry (washing machine, water heater, air conditioning) and basement (sump pump). Also keeping a check on roofs, drainage, gutters and downspouts.
Preventing and correcting water damage is one of the most crucial factors when it comes to home improvements. Solving the problem at its earliest stage prevents major construction and costs in future.
