Every property owner must be familiar with the basics of water damage repair. Remember, water damage is one of the most common and most serious emergencies any property can face. Some of these tragedies are beyond our control, such as storms and floods. That’s why this repair guide should come in handy for you!
The good news is that some of them are preventable. Additional care and periodic maintenance are crucial for addressing roof leaks, HVAC leaks, sewage backups, burst pipes, and malfunctioning appliances.
Why it’s important to repair water damage right away
Water damage can take place quickly. Within minutes, your floors, walls, furniture, appliances, and other items may already be underwater. Within hours, bacteria and mold start to develop, posing a health risk to the occupants of your property.
Additionally, metals begin to rust, paint and wallpaper start to peel, and furniture and appliances start to crack or deform. In a week, the damage may be so extensive that the costs of repair and restoration may now be restrictive.
Do you think water seepage will wait for you to address it? The reality is that it may come as an unwelcome surprise! Water damage requires immediate attention, as it can cause significant damage to your property and decrease its value. It may also pose serious threats to your safety.
Effective Tips For Water Damage Repair
Check out this water damage repair guide to prevent further destruction of your property:
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Call your insurance company
One common but highly devastating mistake that property owners make is assuming all insurance policies are the same, in that they automatically cover water damage. Even before something happens, you need to check if your insurance covers flood water damage repairs and loss of use. This simple but crucial step would ensure that they will cover your property’s restoration as well as your accommodation while the repairs are ongoing.
Once your property is hit by water damage, call your insurance company immediately. They will send an adjuster to inspect your property, assess the damage, and explain your coverage.
Before calling them, make a handful of preparations, such as providing specific information and photos of your property. Make sure to list down the items damaged by water, and show pictures of them before the water damage incident.
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Check for any visible structural damage before entering your property
Water damage that persists for extended periods can cause significant damage to walls, floors, and structures. It may also ruin other items in the area, including furniture, cabinets, and appliances.
From a safe location, carefully inspect any obvious structural damage in the affected area. Use protective gear, including boots, gloves, and a hard hat, when entering your property.
If you notice visible cracks, holes, or dislocations, call and wait for restoration professionals to conduct a thorough assessment. The last thing you want to happen is to sustain physical injuries on top of your property damage dilemma.
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Turn off the water and power
Safety is always key in situations like this. That’s why it’s best not to enter the affected area until professionals have advised that it is safe to do so. If your main power switch can be accessed without entering the damaged area, turn off the power to your property.
Some things that you can do in relation to your water and power supply include the following:
- Call an electrician to inspect, clean and dry, and test your electrical panel and connections.
- Do not attempt to turn on electrical appliances and fixtures to avoid the risk of electrocution and fire.
- Turn off your water connection as well to prevent adding more water to the affected areas. If you’re not familiar with the pipes in your property, consider calling a plumber for assistance.
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Remove valuable items so they don’t get damaged
When faced with a serious case of property flooding, you need to create a priority list of your valuable items, from most valuable to least. This way, you can remove the high-priority items from your list and hope that they do not incur irreparable damage.
Depending on the things you own, here are some valuables that may get drenched in water, and some ways to salvage them:
- Items made of wood: Water can quickly damage wooden furniture. As soon as you discover your wood items in the affected areas, remove them from the water, take out their drawers, and open their doors. You may be tempted to use high heat to dry them quickly, but keep in mind that this may cause splitting and further damage to the wood.
- Appliances: As soon as you see them in water, remove the appliances from the area immediately. Being immersed in water for an extended period may cause damage to metal and plastic body parts, as well as to electrical and electronic components.
- Upholstery: Fabric or leather covers, paddings, and springs of upholstered furniture may be damaged extensively with prolonged exposure to water. Make sure to move them to a dry place to minimize damage and the growth of bacteria in it.
- Memorabilia: Don’t forget to take out books, photos, and other items that may hold valuable memories for you and your family members. These items may become stained and warped beyond repair when immersed in water for an extended period.
Your best course of action? Call your restoration company!
Aside from competing with time, the entire repair and restoration process is a hard and grueling task. Instead of relying on your own knowledge – and a handful of video tutorials – for a quick DIY, we highly recommend tapping the services of a restoration company.
Hire professionals to handle your residential or commercial water damage, so you have the physical energy and emotional space to focus on your family, work, or business. You can also expect more efficient cleanup from trusted and experienced restoration companies, as they have likely done this multiple times before. They know what to expect and how to minimize the damage and expedite the process.
Get your life back on track quickly by calling us at Compleat Restorations. Our experienced and highly skilled water damage professionals can help you with the cleanup and restoration, and with coordinating with your insurance company.