Tackling Water Damage like a Pro – Six Steps and Mistakes to Avoid
Keeping a house in impeccable condition is always a challenge. Regrettably, unforeseen incidents can occur despite regular upkeep of the home. One hears tales of people coming back from extended vacations to homes swamped in water. Similarly, a neighbor’s basement might be flooded, whether from a severe rainstorm or a broken pipe.
Numerous reasons can cause flooded homes – natural disasters like hurricanes, rain, or technical faults such as poorly sealed bathtubs, overflowing taps, and roof leakage. Each of these factors can induce a different degree of severity.
Amid a water damage scenario, homeowners feel helpless and ask themselves, what now? The situation may seem hopeless; however, there’s always a chance to fix things.
We hope you never experience a water damage incident, but it’s better to be ready for any unforeseen circumstances. But, if you are a victim of water damage, here are some tips and tricks to tackle it and restore your property the way it was.
Dry up ASAP
The more water remains stagnant, the more it damages our property, and whatever’s in it. Therefore, it’s crucial to start drying out the affected area within 24 hours of water entering.
If you live in a humid region like Texas, drying as much as possible is the first step to recovering your valuables. If you succeed in drying out the affected area within 2-3 days, you can also eradicate mildew and mold – notorious for extensive property damage.
During hours of peril, make it easy on yourself and hire a restoration service like Total Restoration of Texas to navigate every aspect of water damage.
The certified techs can help dissipate moisture with professional-grade equipment and use pumps to remove water. Not only this, but these pros will also collaborate with insurance companies to streamline communication and billings and bring back your home to pre-damage condition.
Protect valuable possessions
Water is baneful since it can wreak havoc on property. Moreover, stagnant water causes significant damage to the drywall, floors, ceilings, appliances, and electrical sockets. Not only this, furniture, carpets, books, and other piles of paper may get drenched when the water scatters throughout the property.
If it’s black water – the one that seeps through sewage, then everything that gets in contact with it becomes a bio-hazard. Therefore, it’s crucial to move fast and take prompt action.
Save your belongings such as important documents and electronic equipment. And when it comes to furniture, raise it from the soaked carpet and use a tinfoil sheet to prevent any smears and taints on the rug.
Look out for mold
After the drying process, inspect every area and damaged materials in your house. Search for any signs of mold since it grows within 24 hours. While this fungus is a part of the environment, certain types of mold pose toxic effects to humans and animals.
If you spot mold and mustiness somewhere in your house, you need to be extra cautious. Wear gloves, scratch out the mold, put it in a bag, and cast it off as quickly as possible. However, if you spot more mold, leave this matter for the restoration company to look over.
Also, it is relevant to note that mold can emerge in some inconspicuous areas such as inner walls or under floors. Therefore, inspect your home condition from time to time.
Get in touch with the insurance company
Repairing significant damage isn’t something that you should deal with by yourself. If you have had considerable water damage, then reach out to your homeowner’s insurance company and figure out what options you have. These companies render assistance and help you maneuver an emergency.
Contingent upon specific policies, your insurance may differ. For example, some insurance companies might not consider a slow leakage but cover fortuitous events such as exploding of pipes. However, to make a claim, it’s imperative to take necessary measures.
So, first, contact the insurance company and let them know about the entire situation. The insurance firm will send claim personnel to evaluate the damage and determine if it comes under the covered policy.
In the meantime, capture photos of the affected areas, possessions and document every receipt. That way, it becomes easier for the adjuster to calculate the repair costs.
Dispose of porous material and disinfect
During a water damage incident, fabric, wood, insulation, and carpet might get damaged because of their absorbent properties.
Stagnant water can ruin and weaken furniture, making it difficult to repair, which means you’ll probably have to buy new furniture. In addition, mildew can cause extensive damage to your carpets. Therefore, it’s best to get rid of them.
However, if you have managed to remove stagnant water within a few hours, you can still rescue furniture and carpet by drying them.
Moreover, don’t forget to disinfect every nook of the house to remove any traces of bacteria and mold. A bleach solution can do wonders for your water damage repairs if you want to save your carpet and furniture.
Pro tip – You can save time and effort by hiring professional cleaning services to ensure your house is free from bacteria, insects, and dirt.
Take safety precautions
When dealing with a water damage incident, it’s crucial to protect yourself. For instance, wear protective gear such as boots, gloves, and a mask.
In addition, don’t enter the wet area even if you want to turn off the electric supply or inspect the electric panels. You might encounter wet wires, broken glass, debris, damaged pipes, and an uneven floor.
While cleaning the flooded area, ensure to use proper equipment. Mops, buckets, towels, and brushes may be the best cleaning materials for everyday use. Still, a water damage circumstance requires professional equipment, so it is good to leave the cleaning to professionals.
Final Words
A water damage incident, undoubtedly, can be real trouble for anyone. It can be a nuisance and leave acute hygiene and safety issues at home. Therefore, if you ever face such misfortune, the cardinal rule is not to panic and instead implement a set of decisions to deal with the damage.
Sure, there will be some losses, but your house is repairable, and that’s what matters most at the end of the day.
And once you are over and done with all fixes, get ready to move in into your house again. First, however, don’t forget to schedule an appointment with a property inspector to get your home examined after water damage repairs are completed.
That way, you can ensure that your house regains its original splendor and there are no warning signs left to worry about.
