Two Problem Areas To Deal With After Your Washing Machine Floods The Basement
If your washing machine has recently flooded your basement, then you know what a mess it can be to deal with the water damage. Once you have fixed the leak in the machine, it's time to take a look at the basement and address any problem areas that might have to be dealt with. Water damage can be quite insidious and, if left alone without being dealt with, you could end up with very dangerous mold and other issues that could lead to big expenses, not to mention health problems. So, here are two areas to deal with as soon as possible.
Loose Tile Mastic
If the area of your basement was tiled, and it wasn't properly sealed when the tile was installed, then you might have gotten water damage to the tile mastic. This could also be an issue if you are dealing with very old tiles where the sealant has worn away over time. The water, if it was left to sit on the area for a while before you could remove it with a sump pump or wet vac, could have permeated through the tile joints and soaked into the mastic. If this happened, then two problems are potentially in your future. First, the tiles could become loose. Second, the underlayment could begin to mold. The plywood underlayment could be wet even if the surface tiles have been dried. So, that could lead to mold and also the breakdown of the tile mastic.
The solution is to bring in an expert who can inspect the tiles and determine if they need to be ripped up. Choose a contractor who specializes in water damage restoration. It might be that some of the tiles (those nearest the washing machine leak) were soaked and their sub-floor is damaged, but the ones further out on the perimeter are fine. You don't want to needlessly tear up your entire floor.
Water Damaged Drywall
This is a big issues because it presents the possibility of mold. Once the drywall gets soaked through, mold can grow. You might not see this mold until it gets really out of control. The wall might appear fine on the outside, but the interior of the drywall, or the inside wall cavity might be damp and a prime breeding ground for dangerous mold. Not only is this mold bad for the air quality and your health, it will spread through the wall over time and cause decay and rot.
A water damage restoration expert can come in and remove the bad sections of drywall, air out the interior wall cavity, replace any damaged insulation, and then reseal up the wall with clean drywall. The wall can then be taped and painted and it will look brand new. For more information, contact companies like Continental Carpet Cleaning Restoration.