Water Damage: Take These 7 Steps

Your homeowners’ insurance will vary depending on what policies you have. An insurance adjuster will come look at and assess the damage and determine if it is a covered loss.

Document the values of each and every item you can think of. Then take as many photos as possible before, during, and after cleanup. This will help the adjuster when he or she is able to come assess the damage. They might even suggest a restoration company like Industry Icon Cleaning and Restoration that can help you with your cleanup and restoration process.

The most important step in any major home disaster like flooding and water damage, is to make sure yourself and your family are safe. There are several things you can do to stay safe in your home.

Water and electricity obviously do not mix. But, if turning off the power requires you to enter or stand in wet areas it is best to leave it alone and call an electrician. Do not reenter a flooded home before turning the electricity off.

Be sure to wear protective clothing–such as rubber boots and gloves–when you re-enter your home. This protects you from injuries and infection from bacteria filled water.

You can lift wood furniture off the wet carpet areas and insert tin foil under the feet to prevent staining of the carpet. Likewise, remove any rugs that may be on wet flooring.

You may be forced to leave your home if the flooding is bad enough. Make sure it is also safe when you return to your home to begin dealing with the aftermath. Don’t drive through any flooded areas!

Start water damage cleanup 24-48 hours after you are clear to re-enter your home. In many situations, the damage is too extensive for one person or family. Get help from a restoration service to stay safe and remove all damage.

Once all standing water is out of your home, you will still have to contend with damp belongings, particularly if you live in a very humid area. If you are able to get your electricity back on, running your AC will remove humidity. Floor fans such as Air Movers and dehumidifiers can help dry damp areas of your home as well.

You can’t get too dry, so be certain and avoid mildew, molds, and other lingering issues that could result if you rush back in. You may need the assistance of a professional restoration contractor like Industry Icon Cleaning and Restoration to ensure a dry home. Time is of the essence and studies show that starting the drying a home within the first 24 hours and completely drying a home within 3-4 days will almost completely remove the risk of mold and mildew.

Mold can begin developing after the first 24 hours of a flood, and once it has started growing it can be difficult to remove. The quicker you remove items from water and begin drying them, the less likely they are to be lost to mold.

If it gets bad, you’ll often have to completely remove the affected areas. It’s always best to err on the side of caution and have a professional assess the situation.

The repair of water damage in your home from flooding is typically what takes the longest amount of time. Flooring and sometimes even walls need to be replaced, broken possessions are often in need of repair, etc. If major construction is needed, make sure you hire an expert like us.

Once you have the go ahead from your insurance company, your restoration/construction company, and your local government(in the case of natural disasters), it’s time to move back into your clean, dry, mold-free home!

If you are unsure about what your first steps for when your house floods should be, then give us a call! We specialize in water damage restoration and flood or natural disaster repairs. Our goal is to get you repaired and restored as soon as possible to help you safely enjoy your home once again.