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As a third generation contractor serving the insurance industry, I have had to deal with water damages as a result of rain storms and flooding. I am always busy after a bad wind or thunder storm. When the storm is over, and my pager goes off, I go house to house cleaning up homes for various insurance companies.

For those times where you cannot relay on your insurance company and you cannot obtain the services of a professional, I would suggest that you do the following. The journey starts with ensuring that the source of water entry has stopped. My crews and I always start with site preparation. Removing large contents to dry areas, we make sure that they are placed on blocks to prevent damages to dry finishes. If there is carpeting or laminate floor in the area, like surgeons, we cut out the wet areas. We recommend that the wall finishes are removed in the affected areas, to a 24" height.

Most rental companies have commercial drying fans and dehumidifiers. The fans should be aimed at the lower walls, and dehumidifiers positioned to behind them to treat the air born moisture. We suggest that any the room temperature be lowered as mould will start in warm damp environments. W suggest visiting a commercial cleaning supply house to obtain the specialty chemicals needed. They will cost more, however they will cause less damage then using household bleach. As my father once told me, water causes more problems then fire.

Learn more about this author, Gabe Willows.
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