No matter what the cause of water damage to your home, there are several important steps to follow in order to insure that you prevent post flooding issues such as mold and mildew issues.  There are four important steps to follow to ensure that you take care of the water damage problems in the most efficient manner.

STEP 1:  The first thing that you should do is to make sure to lower the temperature of the area where the water damage has occurred.  You can lower the temperature of the area by using a dehumidifier.  You want to make sure that whatever dehumidifier that you purchase will be able to keep the relative humidity of the area at least 50% or lower.  This will help ensure that mold and mildew do not start growing where there is moisture from the water damage.

STEP 2:  Next, you will need to get the area as dry as you can, as quickly as you can. This can be done several ways.  First, you will need to remove all items including paper products, cloth products and another other small removable items that are small.  Then you will have to inspect your carpeting to determine if it is salvageable (if not remove it as quickly as possible).  Once you have cleared out as much as you can, then you need to make sure to set up air blowers/dryers.  This will help to dry out the water damaged area quickly all the way down to the foundation.  This can also help to dry out things like furniture and carpeting if you deem it still usable.  Don’t forget to check your subflooring.  It is possible that you might have to pull back your carpeting to allow the subflooring to dry out with the air blowers. 

STEP 3:  You need to make sure that the area that sustained the water damage is completely disinfected.  This can be done by having the area vapor steam cleaned.  By hiring the right professionals to take care of this, the area will be cleaned, disinfected and deodorized to prevent all mold and mildew problems from occurring.  There are also products out there at the local home improvement store that can help you disinfect the home, but it is best if you make sure to have it looked at by a professional to see if you missed anything. 

STEP 4:  You will need to destroy any microorganisms floating around in the area.  These microorganisms can be anything from fungus to mold and even bacteria and viruses.  The quicker you get rid of them, the better off you are.  Getting rid of these pesky problems can be as easy as making sure to disinfect the area with the proper cleaning agents as well as investing in an air purifier.  When purchasing an air purifier, you will want to make sure that it is an air sterilizer. 

By following these four easy steps, you can return your water damaged area back to a livable space once again.  If you have more than just a flooded basement, your best recourse is to contact a professional in your area as quickly as possible.  If you are unsure of the extent of the water damage, then again, it is recommended to contact a professional in order to prevent problems with mold, mildew and other microorganisms in the future.