Water Restoration 101: Emergency Damage Tips

Let’s face it, in an emergency situation, there is no time to waste. If you experience water damage in your home there are a few preventative measures both before and after the damage has subsided that can help keep you and your family safe until help arrives.

During:

The time period between finding the water damage and waiting for help to arrive is crucial to preventing further damage to your home. After reaching out for help there are a few things that should be considered.

• In the event of a leaky pipe your first concern should be shutting the water main off to stop the water from spreading. Do your research ahead of time and find a plumber that suits your needs as you may need their assistance to repair the damage to the pipe.

• Look around and ask yourself, Is there debris falling from the ceiling that could make the structure unsound or is there any exposed electrical wires that could become dangerous? Be alert, be aware, and be smart, as these could turn into a very hazardous situation.

• Materials such as wood or drywall that have taken on water can become very heavy, so remember to use caution when attempting to move things around your home.

• Ask yourself, Do I have an insurance plan that will cover the cost to repair the area? If so, it is imperative to give the agency a call right away.

• Consider if you live in a disaster area. If so, be aware of the additional resources that will be helpful and assist you.

It is always a good idea to take photos of the damage to back up your insurance claim, as most of the time insurance companies want to see the extent of the damage.

After:

After you have called for help there are a few things that can be done before the water restoration company arrives that can help speed up the overall process. When the restoration company gets to your home they will be able to remove any stagnant water and properly clean and sanitize the area, preventing mold from forming and instructing you as to what you should do next.

• Remove as much water as you can using a mop or shop vac.

• Gently poke holes in the drywall to release any water trapped behind the surface.

• Wipe up water from surfaces such as your wood furniture, tabletops, and other items that were left out during the incident.

• Turn on any fans that you may have and in the summer time use your air conditioning to aid in the overall drying process.

• Remove rugs, tapestries and any other wet items that can be saved and allow them to dry outside.

• Remove couch and chair cushions so that the water can be extracted from the furniture and dried out.

• Stay away from any stagnant water as it may be contaminated and could be very dangerous to your health.

Mold can develop within 24-48 hours of a flood so remove as many wet objects from your house and dry them off as soon as possible.

Remember:

• Don’t use your own vacuum to remove the water.

• Don’t turn on any electrical appliances or ceiling fixtures in the area where you’ve encountered water damage.

• In the event of a large flood where your home may not be habitable, it may be a good idea to properly secure your home by boarding up any broken windows so that no additional damage occurs.

Water damage and flooding of any sort is not to be taken lightly. Have a plan, be prepared, and know who to call in an emergency situation.

To learn more about the 24 HR Water Restoration services we offer click here.

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