While water is essential in life, it can also cause severe property damage in a blink of an eye. Unfortunately, water can access your property in various ways, such as blocked piping, broken pipes, roof damage, or flooding. Therefore, you can face a water damage situation at any time. With that in mind, it’s vital to understand the steps you should take if your home experiences water damage.
Reaching out to a water restoration company is the best step you can take if you’re dealing with water damage. While you can try to salvage your property and valuables, it can be risky to remain or re-enter a water-damaged property.
These professionals are trained to perform the task without risking their lives or your property. If you reside in Brisbane and dealing with a water damage situation, click here to connect with reputable professionals. Meanwhile, here are the most critical steps to take after water damage in your home.
Determine And Stop The Water Source
A water damage situation can result from several causes. For example, leaky pipes, blocked piping, and flooding can all lead to this menace. Unfortunately, when dealing with floods, there’s nothing much you can do to stop the water from entering your home.
However, suppose you’re dealing with faulty piping. In that case, it’s possible to locate where the leaks are coming from and stop the water from accessing your home. In such a situation, the first thing to do is turn off the water supply to your home. If the water damage results from excess condensation, increase the air circulation as you wait for a water damage restoration company to resolve the issue.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Once you discover your home is suffering from water damage, you must contact your insurance company immediately. This will help you understand if the company will be responsible for all the repairs and, if not, to what extent you can depend on it.
Once you’ve reached out to your insurance company, an adjuster will visit your home to examine the situation and determine the damage the company will cover. It’s important to understand that the adjuster will base their conclusion on the severity of the damage and the company’s policies.
It’s, therefore, vital to take as many photos as possible prior to, during, and after the cleanup. You should also keep a record of the destroyed items and provide receipts if possible. The cost of cleaning up water from your property and replacing damaged items should be backed up with receipts.
Concentrate On Your Safety
Watching your home getting flooded and slowly succumbing to water damage can be overwhelming. For this reason, many homeowners risk their well-being while trying to salvage their valuables.
A water damage situation might be riskier than it seems. You might think you have a chance to save one or two items, only to sustain severe injuries when doing so. Therefore, though it’s easier said than done, you should stay clear of your water-damaged property until a professional gives you the go signal to re-enter the house.
Begin Water Damage Restoration
It’s advisable to begin the water damage restoration within 24 to 48 hours after the house is determined safe for re-entering. Depending on the damage, your home might require the removal of the drywall, flooring, or insulation. In that case, it’s advisable to hire a water restoration company to handle the process. Nevertheless, if your home requires minor repairs, you can seek help from family and friends to complete the task successfully.
Dry The Home And Check For Mold
You can successfully dry out your home using air conditioning and dehumidifiers. Drying out your home is essential and shouldn’t be ignored since moisture can encourage mold and mildew growth. Drying your home should be done within four days to prevent mold growth. If you’re unsure about performing an excellent drying procedure, consider hiring professionals.
Once your home is dry, check if there are signs of dampness or mold growth. This step is vital since after mold has begun to develop, eliminating it might be difficult. So, it’s best to deal with this as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Water damage is one of the most difficult situations a property owner could face. A homeowner can incur losses that might be challenging to recover from. For this reason, acting as soon as the water has invaded your territory is essential. It’s also vital to hire professionals experienced in water damage restoration to prevent severe property damage.