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Water damage in your home can occur because of various reasons, ranging from simple pipe leaks to flooding. Regardless of the cause, water infiltration into your property wreaks havoc on your belongings and the structure. If such occurs, water damage restoration prevents further deterioration. It also helps preserve the integrity of your home.

Unfortunately, most conventional water damage restoration methods involve the use of chemicals and other processes that are detrimental to the environment. With changing regulations and increasing awareness of the importance of conserving the environment, you should consider the following eco-friendly water restoration practices.

1. Prevention and Preparedness

Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t take extensive floods or hurricanes for your home to suffer from water damage. Simple things, such as blocked gutters, poorly graded soil, small leaks, and a faulty sump pump, can make your home susceptible to water damage. Fortunately, most causes of water damage are preventable, especially if addressed in advance. Preparing and taking prevention measures to mitigate water damage in an eco-friendly way include:

• Maintaining downspouts: Downspouts channel water from the gutters to the drainage in your foundation. Poorly installed and maintained downspouts release water into your foundation, causing massive erosion that can leak into your home. Ensure your downspouts empty at least 3 feet away from the foundation to avoid this.
• Check your drains and pipes: Sink drains divert water into the sewer through waste pipes. However, they can easily clog due to dirt, debris, and grease. The best way to avoid such is scheduling regular cleaning. For this, embrace eco-friendly cleaning methods like hydro jetting.
• Maintain the functionality of your sump pump: Sump pumps are the last line of defense against rising groundwater and interior flooding that can cause water damage in the basement. You should check it regularly to ensure it performs optimally.
• Monitor water pressure: You should monitor your water bill for unexplained increases in costs. Installing an electronic water leak detection system on your home water supply also helps monitor changes in pressure, which often occurs when there’s a leak.

Preventing water damage is undeniably the best way to avoid struggling with water damage restoration.

2. Eco-Friendly Water Extraction

Water extraction primarily involves removing stagnant water from water-damaged parts of your property. This prevents further structural damage and minimizes the risks of mold growth. While you should hire professionals, insist on adopting an eco-friendly approach to water extraction.

An eco-friendly approach to water extraction basically lies in equipment selection. You should choose low-energy yet high-efficiency machines like submersible pumps and dehumidifiers. These equipment are energy-efficient and perform optimally. You should also adopt eco-friendly water removal techniques, especially wet vacuuming and using high-powered fans to remove water from affected surfaces.

3. Drying Techniques

Drying is a crucial stage in water damage restoration, and you should adopt eco-friendly drying techniques to minimize environmental impact. These practices focus on using sustainable practices and equipment to expedite drying. Like water extraction, you should insist on the use of energy-efficient equipment.

That aside, you should ensure the drying equipment is appropriately sized. Oversized drying equipment consumes a lot of energy, while undersized drying tools prolong drying. Though slow, you should embrace natural ventilation. Opening your doors and windows alongside energy-efficient drying equipment ensures your home dries faster.

4. Mold Remediation

Mold growth is a common concern for homeowners following water damage. While the threat of mold growth is real, especially because of high humidity levels and dump surfaces, you should avoid using mold cleaners laden with toxic chemicals. Though effective, they are a health risk and cause harm to the environment. You should use eco-friendly mold removal products that effectively eliminate mold and mildew without harming the environment. These products include:

• Vinegar is a natural mold killer and a great choice for minimal water damage.
• Baking soda: Mixing baking soda with water effectively removes mold from surfaces.
• Hydrogen peroxide: This natural antifungal and antibacterial agent also kills mold and whitens surfaces.

Other effective eco-friendly mold removal products include grapefruit seed extract, tea tree oil, citrus seed extract, and plant-based cleaners. Eco-friendly mold remediation addresses the immediate mold problem, minimizes the environmental impact of mold remediation, and promotes healthy living.

5. Green Cleaning Products

Cleaning is the last phase after clearing and drying your water-damaged home. Similarly, you should use green cleaning products to promote sustainability. Non-toxic cleaning products are made from natural ingredients that don’t release harmful chemicals into the air. They are free from ammonia, chlorine, and other harmful chemicals.

Green cleaning products are designed to have minimal impact on the environment. Besides organic ingredients, they are often packaged in biodegradable materials, reducing waste. However, the only way to be sure of using green products is by confirming the labels and certifications.

Endnote

Green water damage restoration offers tangible benefits to affected homeowners and the environment. Using energy-efficient machines saves on energy costs and reduces carbon footprint. Similarly, non-toxic cleaning and mold remediation agents eliminate the impact of common chemicals on indoor air quality.