Water damage can wreak havoc on your property, causing extensive destruction and compromising the safety of your home or business. Beyond the physical damage caused by water, there is another hidden threat that needs immediate attention - bacteria and germs that can be left behind in high-touch areas. Effective sanitization is crucial to ensure complete protection against these harmful microorganisms.

In the aftermath of water damage, it's important to address not just structural repairs but also sanitation measures to safeguard your health and well-being. Here are some essential steps recommended by water damage repair experts for effectively sanitizing high-touch areas:

1. Identify High-Touch Surfaces: High-touch surfaces refer to areas frequently used or touched by occupants or visitors regularly throughout the day. Examples include doorknobs, light switches, countertops, faucets, handrails, toilet handles, electronic devices such as remote controls and keyboards, and any other surface that people come into contact with consistently.

2. Clean Before Sanitizing: Prior to applying a sanitizer solution on high-touch surfaces affected by water damage, it's crucial to thoroughly clean them using a mild detergent or soap-based cleaner followed by rinsing with clean water. This step helps remove visible dirt and debris before disinfection begins.

3. Choose an Appropriate Sanitizer: When selecting a sanitizer solution for use after water damage incidents, look for one approved by regulatory authorities such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These sanitizers should be effective against a wide range of microorganisms including bacteria and viruses commonly found post-water leakage.

4. Follow Manufacturer Instructions: It's essential to carefully read manufacturer instructions on how to properly apply the sanitizer solution without compromising its effectiveness. Pay special attention to required contact time - this is typically referred to as "dwell time" which indicates how long the surface should remain wet with sanitizer solution before wiping or air drying.

5. Use Protective Gear: While sanitizing high-touch areas, wear gloves and other protective gear to minimize contact with potentially hazardous contaminants. Additionally, make sure the area is well-ventilated by opening windows or using fans to keep fresh air circulating during the cleaning process.

6. Regularly Disinfect: After water damage restoration work is complete and high-touch surfaces have been sanitized, it's important to continue regular disinfection practices for ongoing protection against bacteria and germs. Establishing a routine maintenance schedule can help ensure consistent cleanliness and reduce the risk of potential health-related concerns in the future.

By following these essential steps recommended by water damage repair experts, you can restore your property's safety after water damage incidents while providing complete protection against harmful microorganisms that may linger on high-touch surfaces.

It's worth emphasizing that effective sanitation measures should be combined with proper water extraction, structural drying, mold remediation (if required), and odor removal procedures provided by professional water damage repair specialists. Consulting experienced professionals ensures comprehensive restoration from both visible damages caused by standing water as well as hidden threats that compromise your indoor environment's safety.

Remember - when it comes to mitigating risks associated with post-water damage issues, prompt action coupled with expert knowledge remains key for successful recovery efforts.