Can a Water-Damaged Mattress Be Saved?

Has your home been affected by any water damage like flooding or any pipe leakage? Usually, we think that water damages only carpets and furniture; however, that’s not always the case. When a water-related crisis has hit you, it doesn’t skip anything – even the mattress! Just like other household items, your bed can be damaged by dirty and contaminated water. Dealing with water mitigation by yourself can be challenging.

Before you take on any restoration or repair process, assess the damage your mattress or other furniture has seen. Determine if it’s worth the time, effort, and cost to fix the issue and if you will need any professional help. If your mattress is of low quality to begin with, then it might be better to procure a brand new mattress rather than saving the old, damaged one. On the other hand, if you have spent a fortune on it, then it may be worth it to restore and recover it from the damage.

And similar to rugs and carpets, mattresses can be home to allergens and mold – especially when it gets wet due to water damage. A damaged mattress must be immediately repaired! And in this case, employing professional services so they can do the restoration effectively.

In today’s post, we’ll share helpful tips on ways you can help with water mitigation for your damaged mattress.

.

Do Something at the First Signs of Damage

When you see the first signs of water damage on your mattress, you have to do something about it right away! Once the mold grows and gets absorbed in it, it would be harder to take the mold off, and you would never be able to restore the mattress. Make sure that you call professional help or let the mattress dry entirely during the first 48 hours.

Don’t Leave It Wet

Speaking of drying thoroughly, the primary thing you should do to keep up with the water mitigation process is to set the mattress under direct contact with sunlight. To help dry out the mattress, you can also utilize fans and blow dryers. However, it’s essential not to hasten to dry the mattress out completely. Otherwise, it will leave residue traces within the mattress fiber. These residues may become a habitat for mold to grow.

Take Out and Use Your Vacuum

Unzip the mattress to check if the inside is damp.

Once the mattress is entirely dry, take out your vacuum and use it. Start vacuuming the mattress using a nozzle vacuum cleaner. While even a high-power vacuum won’t be able to take out every bit of dirt or debris from the mattress, it will still help clean it. Not a lot of mattresses can be unzipped to get to the materials of it inside. However, if yours can be unzipped, open it up and check the inside for dampness. After vacuuming the entire surface of the mattress, take a cloth and dampen it in an alcohol solution, then thoroughly wipe the whole mattress.

Don’t Forget About the Box Springs

The box springs inside your mattress can also get affected by water. When this happens, you need to be extra careful cleaning them. Box springs are usually made of wood materials and components; wood, when it gets in contact with water, is bad news. Wood takes a long time dry out completely. And if you don’t plan on checking the box springs and making sure they are dry, then your efforts of drying out the mattress will have been futile. Remember that when dealing with mattresses damaged by water, the critical thing to keep in mind is to make sure that all of its parts are thoroughly dry.

Call on the Professionals

Although the tips we have shared above can help you deal with a water-damaged mattress, it’s always recommended to acquire from a restoration company. You may not have the proper tools and equipment to take care of the water or flood damage. Thus, it’s still best to call on water mitigation professionals. They have the expertise and equipment needed to deal with damage caused by water after a flood, storm, leak, or burst pipe. They have the experience that we as homeowners don’t have. They know the effective repair methods that can bring your cherished mattress back to its glory.

To Repair or Not to Repair Your Heater, That Is the Question

Replacing or repairing any appliance or equipment at home can be discouraging; not a lot of us look forward to that task. However, the experience can be a little less daunting if we know what warning signs to look for. If you suspect that you are in need of a water heater repair, look to these signs and plan ahead.

  1. If you have no clue when the last time your heater was replaced, then it’s probably due for a replacement. The lifespan of water heaters is between 10 and 15 years. If you suspect yours is older or you don’t know when you got it, then it may be closing to the end of its life.
  2. When you try to turn on the water heater, the water that comes out is a rusty color.
  3. When there is no hot water coming out when you turn on the hot water, it might be because: a) the circuit breaker has been tripped; or b) the hot water heater is not functional anymore.
  4. When there is sediment buildup in the tank, sandy or muddy water will come out. Most of the time, you can drain the contents of the tank; this will make the water heater function normally again.
  5. When there is a metallic smell, or even taste, to the water when you turn on the water heater; this happens because the flakes and the grits from the inner tank is incorporating into the water in the tank. This is a clear-cut sign that you’re heater is breaking down; and you are in need of a water heater repair or service.
  6. Instead of hot water, only lukewarm water is coming out. This might be because the heating element is burned out. Try adjusting your thermostat to between 120 and 140 degrees – anything lower can only produce lukewarm, not hot, water.
  7. How often do you turn on the water heater in your house? A household with many members who use hot water will have a more active heater than a person living alone. Thus, if you know that your water heater is used more frequently, then you should watch for more wear and tear signs.
  8. If your water heater is making is noise, then it shouldn’t. Loud pops and cracks may be a sign that the heating elements inside the heater are reacting to some mineral or sediment buildup within.
  9. If you’ve already had a water heater repair done, but it still keeps breaking or causing issues and inconveniencing you, then it’s time to replace the equipment altogether – before it starts any major damage that will negatively impact your and your family’s life.
  10. When you notice leaks or water puddling around the water heater, then that means the inner tank has broken down. Slow leaks and drops escalate quickly and can cause serious flooding when the tank breaks.

Repair or Replace?

When you see a leak, then a water heater repair isn’t an option anymore. On a positive note, new and modern models of water heaters are more energy-efficient and environment-friendly than older ones. Manufacturers incorporate foam insulation between the tank and the outer part of it to help in increased heat retention. Glass liners also make tanks less prone to decay and decomposition.

Furthermore, high-efficiency models that are Energy Star-certified can save you up to 25% in energy costs. Solar and tankless water heaters and heat pumps can also offer more savings and even a federal tax credit opportunity. They may cost more to install, but you will be getting savings in other aspects.

Water Heater Costs

Replacing water heaters is not as plain and simple as taking out the old one and installing the new. There are local building codes and regulations that require you to get upgrades on the following:

  • Venting system
  • Water heater mount
  • Supply pipes
  • Drain pan

Before starting any water heater repair or replacement, ask the contractor to give you a breakdown of all the costs. As for doing a DIY water heater replacement, most manufacturers give detailed instructions. However, you will also need to be familiar with local building codes.

.

Care and Maintenance

Whether you replace or repair, your water heater will last longer and work better if you do regular check, care, and maintenance. To remove sediment buildup, flush the tank once a year. Eliminating the muck inside the tank will allow your water heater to run more efficiently, saving you money in the long run. Furthermore, the anode rod needs to be checked every three years. Also called the “sacrificial rod,” it’s a probe inside the tank made of magnesium or aluminum that gathers corrosive components. It often gets eaten away; replacing the anode rod will only cost you about $30, neglecting to do so will result in higher repair and replacement costs.