Water damage is something no one wants to encounter in their home. However, it’s something that thousands of homeowners in the US might have to deal with at some point. After your home experiences some water damage, the next steps you take are crucial. This article will detail some crucial tips to restore your house after water damage.
Several events could lead to water destroying your home’s interior. Leaking appliances like a faulty washing machine or dishwasher, broken pipes, or sewer backups can cause serious damage to your house. Even though severe cases might look hopeless, there are some steps you can take to minimize loss.
Whether as a result of a natural disaster or a domestic incident, these tips will help you to get your home back with minimal losses after water damage.
5 Steps To Restore House
The first few hours after your home suffers water damage are very crucial. What you do in the first 36 hours after water damage is critical to the safety and integrity of your home. Here are some tips to restore your house immediately after water damage.
- Safety First
In a severe water leak, you must consider your safety first by taking essential water emergency steps. Thus, it would be best to shut off your house’s power supply if you can access the switch. However, if access to the switch is compromised by water, stay off for your safety.
In some severe cases, turning off the gas supply might be necessary. Next, ensure to dispose of all contaminated food items to avoid accidentally consuming poisoned food.
Then, begin to get out items like rugs from waterlogged floors. Also, place tin foils under the feet of your furniture to prevent them from staining the carpet. For your safety, do not wade through your flooded home without protection. Ensure you’re wearing protective clothing like sturdy rubber boots while in the house.
- Contact Your Home Insurance
You might need to contact your insurance company if you notice water damage. It’s important for you also to document the damage in pictures and by other means.
After you contact your insurance provider, they might send a claims adjuster to inspect the extent of damage and let you know if your homeowners’ insurance covers the damage. You should contact them immediately if you have suffered flood damage and have insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Stop Leak If Possible
If it’s possible to identify the source of the leak safely, do so and stop it. Except the damage is a result of natural disasters, you can likely find the source and stop it. This way, you can stop the damage from getting worse.
- Clear Out Debris to Assess Damage
After ensuring the home is safe and the leak has stopped, start to clear out debris. If the water damage is from a flood, the water might carry messy debris. Ensure to dispose of them, and clear out your home.
Look out for your valuables that can be salvaged and keep them. Otherwise, throw out irreparably damaged items or retain them for your insurance claims. You might need to have a professional inspect the damage. Mold can start forming in just a few hours after water damage. Thus it’s necessary to look out for mold on your flooring and other parts of the house and must avail of mold remediation services instantly for mold removal. Your insurance company may also come to assess and value the damage and repair costs.
- Contact Water Removal Services
It’s crucial to have a professional water restoration company carry out water removal from your property. Water removal and restoration will include floor repairs, as well as wall and door repairs or replacements through air movers. Their service will also include mold removal and complete restoration certification of your property.
Ensure to get an experienced company that would stick to the time budget. Floor repairs often take the longest time to get done. Generally, though, the duration of the restoration period will depend on how damaged your house is. After the repairs, you might need to do some touch-ups like painting and home remodeling. Afterward, you’re ready to move back into your home.
Dangers of Untreated Water Damage
Water damage in your home can be disheartening and seem hopeless. However, it’s riskier when you don’t attend to it immediately. Leaving standing water in your home can damage your property severely hence start with the water extraction process instantly. Standing water would likely seep deeper into your floors and walls, making your home’s restoration more complex.
Also, leaving it unattended can cause mold growth and spread in your home, including on your furniture and other household items. Exposure to mold spores for just a few hours can lead to health issues.
Several damages will begin to occur within just an hour or a few more after your home is exposed to water. The drywall begins to bulge, and some pieces of furniture might start to swell. Leaving it for longer can cause wood floors and other wooden household items to swell and warp.
Also, gray water can turn to blackwater if left to sit for long enough. Blackwater is toxic and should be avoided at all costs. Thus, not promptly attending to your home’s water damage could lead to irreparable losses and damage to your property, as well as constitute a health hazard. Take the steps we mentioned above to reduce the cost of water damage repairs, and eliminate any health risks.
Restore House Conclusion:
Water damage restoration can be strenuous and time-consuming, but it’s necessary if you want to salvage your property. There are some steps you can take to reduce the damage caused by water in your home before calling for water removal services.
However, you must ensure that you use an experienced company that will help you restore your home on time by following a proper drying-out process. Follow the tips in the sections above, and you’ll have your home restored with minimal damage.
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