Water damage is a common problem that most people have faced at one point in their homes. It can stem from a leaky pipe, a broken appliance, or even from the rain. Whatever the cause, it’s critical to have the water removed as soon as possible to minimize water damage to your property. In light of this, the first thing to do when your home is flooded is to act quickly by finding a reputable water damage recovery team. These professionals will help you remove the water flooding your home, handle water damage cleanup and also offer you water damage repair.
However, there are also a couple of things you can do to put the situation in check before professional water damage repair services arrive. Read on to learn more about water damage repair tips offered by experts.
Determine The Type Of Water Causing The Damage
Three major types of water can cause water damage; they include; clean water, black water, and gray water. The clean water is usually from water pipes supplying your home with clean water. If you notice this type of water damage in your home, it could be caused by plumbing issues such as leaky clean water pipes or broken faucets. In a case like this, you’ll need to find and lock the water valve controlling that session of the damaged pipe.
If the water damage is caused by black water (which refers to the water originating from sewage pipes), you should allow the professional water damage repair team to take care of the situation. This is because black water, as well as gray water (water from appliances like washing machines), are always contaminated and smelly. It’s best to avoid handling water damage repair caused by contaminated water as it will expose you to health hazards.
Move All Necessary Items
Remove both soaked and unsoaked items that you can carry away from the flooded area. You can place wooden boards, wooden blocks, or aluminum foil coasters beneath the legs of your furniture. It’ll help prevent your furniture from absorbing excess water. Also, remove wet rugs, art decorations, flowers, and other items to a safe and dry place.
As for the books, avoid placing dry books on water surfaces (rugs, carpets, or chairs). Keep the dry books in a safe place, away from the water. If some of the books are wet, open them up and place them in a dry place.
Dry the Affected Areas
If you have industrial fans in your home, now is the time to get them rolling. Safely turn on the fan to begin the drying process. If you don’t have big fans, you can turn on your heat and air conditioning system to its maximum drying.
Don’t be In a Haste To Dispose Of Damaged Items
Make sure you don’t trash the damaged items; you’ll need them to make your insurance claims. You’ll also need these items for the documentation of the water damage repair.
Handle Electrical Appliances Carefully
Water and electricity are not close pals, so you should be careful when dealing with these two. Avoid using electrical appliances when dealing with water damage repair. If you must, make sure you don’t stand on wet floors when handling electrical appliances. Also, make sure your hands and clothes are dry when handling electrical appliances.
Stay Safe and Keep Your Family Safe
It’s already disheartening to be saddled with water damage cleanup and repair, but it can be further devastating if you or a family member slips and falls on the wet floors. Slip and fall accidents are the most prevalent hazard associated with water damage situations. For this reason, avoid wearing slippery flip-flops or other slippery footwear when walking on your wet floors. Also, avoid running or walking briskly on wet floors.
Inspect Your Home
Check every nook and cranny of your home and note all the areas affected by the water damage. Pay extra attention to the porous surface and absorbent materials. If you find hidden places damaged by water, you can place a fan close to the area to start the drying process of the area. Additionally, note all the areas with mould and mildew, sagging roofs, water-stained walls, and more.
With these tips, you’ll be better prepared for the visit of a professional water damage repair team. Thankfully, expert water damage repair service providers offer prompt and emergency water damage repair and restoration services. In other words, you will not have to wait for long before help arrives.
