Water damage in the home is a very common and costly issue. A broken pipe, flooding during a storm, or a leaking roofing system can cause the water to enter your home, too. This causes extensive damage to the structure, furniture, and personal belongings. While the damage caused by water can be overwhelming, there are ways to restore your home. This article walks you through the restoration process and explains the importance of hiring professional water removal services.
1. Safety First: Assess The Situation
Prior to taking any action, you must ensure that your safety is first and foremost. Water damage may present serious risks, including electrical hazards and slick floors. Once you’ve noticed water in the home, immediately take these steps.
- Switch off Power: If it is safe to do so, you should turn off the power to your house to avoid electric shock hazards. This is especially true if water has accumulated near electrical outlets, appliances, or other sources of power.
- Wear protective gear: The water, particularly from floods or sewage back-up, may contain harmful contaminants and bacteria.
Assess the damage after you’ve made sure that everyone is safe. Consider how much, how deeply, and in which areas the water has gotten into your house. If the damage to your home is extensive, call a professional immediately.
2. Stop The Water Source
The next step in recovering from water damage is to prevent water from flooding. The source of water can be a broken hose, a roof leak, or a severe storm.
- Shutoff Water Supply: Turn off the water supply if the water is coming in from a leaky pipe or other internal source.
- Repair roofs and leaks: If the source of water is external, such as rain, you should temporarily fix all roofs and leaks to prevent water from leaking into your house.
- Sandbags are a Temporary Barrier: If the flooding is due to a storm, use sandbags to create temporary barriers.
Stopping the source of water immediately can prevent further damage and make the process easier to manage.
3. Call A Professional Water Removal Service
The water removal process is a vital part of the overall recovery. Even if you have the time, it is not worth trying to do this alone. This is especially true if water has seeped in and soaked into hidden places like walls and flooring.
These services remove water using industrial pumps and vacuums to prevent damage to your property. They also ensure that moisture levels are closely monitored to avoid mold and mildew development, which could begin as early as within 24 hours.
4. Assess And Repair Structural Damage
Water, in particular, can weaken structural integrity. After the water and affected areas are dried up, you can inspect the extent and start the repairs.
- Check to See if Walls or Floors are Warped: Water can warp wooden flooring, baseboards, and wall drywall. If the material is severely damaged, it may be necessary to replace it.
- Inspect electrical systems: Water can compromise wires and outlets, requiring professional inspection and repair to use these items again safely.
- Look for Mold Growth: Mold can begin to grow quickly under damp conditions. If a musty or visible odor is detected, mold remediation services should be called.
In order to maintain the integrity of your house, you should make immediate repairs when structural damage occurs.
5. Restore Belongings And Personal Items
Water damage may ruin electronics, electronic devices, and furniture. Once the area has dried and repairs are in progress, you should check your belongings.
- Fabrics and Upholstery: Waterlogged furniture must be dried out and cleaned. Some items will be salvageable. Other items, however, may not be repairable and may need to be thrown away.
- Electronics and Appliances: Electronics exposed to water should be inspected before use. Avoid handling such devices.
- Documents & Photos: Important documents and photos can be damaged when they are submerged in water. If you freeze-dry your items, they can be restored by professionals.
Conclusion
In order to recover from water damage, it is necessary to act immediately and pay attention. The water source can be stopped by calling an expert or simply turning off the faucet. When you restore your living space and take the necessary steps to dry and repair your home, it will minimize damage over time. You should not hesitate to hire a professional water removal team and restore your home if there is significant damage. You can get your home back to normal after water damage by taking the necessary steps and responding quickly.