Hurricane Harvey hits Texas and that can mean trouble for your Austin home..

After the crazy weekend of hurricane weather and high winds a lot of us here in Texas are left with damages to our homes. When it comes to water damage, drying out should be the top priority for those looking to remedy the damage. As the floods continue to happen, keep these quick suggestions handy to help with any damage to your home.

Move Air Naturally

Once the raining has ceased and it’s nice enough out, open your windows and let the natural air filter throughout your home. Be sure to open any closet doors, cabinets or drawers to allow the circulation of air to any affected areas.

Move Air Mechanically

You can rent or buy high-powered fans to speed up the circulation of air. If you live in an area affected by flooding then the initial investment into fans can pay off down the road. If this is a freak accident then renting for a night or two should suffice. Positioning fans throughout your home to create a trail of wind can speed this process us.

Dehumidify

A dehumidifier is great to take care of moisture in the air. When using this be sure to place in a room with all doors and windows closed to prevent humidity from outside sources seeping in.

Pump Water

Flooding can get bad and once it’s saturated it’ll start to rise. A sump pump is submersible pump that removes water via a hose or pipe. If you have standing water in your home, there isn’t a more effective or time-saving manner to remove it.

Wet Shop Vac

Maybe the water isn’t standing but you’re carpet is completely saturated and quickly ruining. Shop vacs rated to deal with water can be a lifesaver when a flood happens. Using an ordinary vacuum can be costly as the mechanicals aren’t slated to deal with water.

Remove Objects

Take any rugs or removable carpets and placing them in sunlight or in a well-ventilated room. You can also remove sheet or vinyl or linoleum flooring to promote max evaporation.

Absorb Moisture

Desiccants, such as silica gel, clay or calcium oxide, can absorb moisture like a sponge. Place these water-permeable packages in airtight containers or in sealed areas, like closets. Most of these feature color changers that indicate when they are ready to be replaced.

We hope these tips and suggestions can help you deal with the rain and weather we’ve been experiencing here in Austin and the state of Texas this past weekend. If you are a tenant in one of our Austin rental properties, be sure to contact our 24 hour maintenance line for assistance! Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that have been affected by Hurricane Harvey.