Now, picture getting in your house after an exhausting day and finding your carpets wet, furniture soaked, and ceilings leaking as well. Looks horrifying! The consequences of Water Damage can never be taken lightly. They can become serious beyond repair if not acted upon swiftly and precisely. This is exactly what Water Damage Services does. When leaks strike your home, every second is critical. As time goes by, water continues to seep in, mercilessly destroying an endless list of things, starting from your health, floors and walls.
This guide focuses primarily on countering the damage caused by water leakages. We outline sequentially the steps to take immediately after a leak has been logged. Moreover, we will expound on why bringing in Water Damage Services as early as possible will help you the most.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Act Fast
The initial step is “Remain Calm”. The situation looks bad; however, if you take the right actions, you can control the damage. The cursory assesses where the leak is coming from. Is it a leaky roof or a broken pipe? Turn off the main water valve if needed.
Subsequently, your first move should be to unplug all electrical outlets within the region that has been affected. Water and electricity result in a lethal combination. Your safety comes as a priority.
Step 2: Call Professional Water Damage Services
Contact the professionals at Water Damage Services as soon as possible. Their proper machines and tools, along with their experience, will help in preventing the damage from escalating further. Your home can be dried, cleaned, and restored safely by these industry experts.
Don’t attempt to solve all problems on your own. Even if things seem like they are drying, moisture can be concealed in walls and floors. Water Damage Services is able to locate and repair hidden damage.
Step 3: Move Your Belongings
Proceed with the disassembly of furniture, removable rugs, and electronic appliances from the wet area. If the water is pungent or filthy, put on a mask and gloves. Try to recover as many items as possible and place them in a safe, dry area.
For vital documents and photographs, seal them in a plastic pouch. Water Damage Services frequently assist in saving damaged paper materials, even if they are saturated.
Step 4: Document Everything
Capture all the destruction damages on camera and record video footage prior to the commencement of the clean-up process. Most insurance claims depend heavily on the evidence, so this step is crucial. Ensure that you document all the damaged walls, floors, appliances, and furniture as insurance providers often request this documentation.
Informs your insurer at the same time that you for Water Damage Services to alert them around the professionals who would be attending to the water damage, and for most insurance companies, this is a favorable outcome as most of them will rationalize that professionals undertaking the work will save costs in the future.
Step 5: Begin the Drying Process
They will begin extracting the water as soon as the specialists arrive. They possess powerful equipment that helps to quicken the drying of your property. This, in turn, helps to stop, mold growth is able to begin anywhere between 24 and 48 hours.
Water Damage Services employs air movers, heaters, and moisture measuring devices to check for remaining moisture to ensure the fully dries the property. Failing to take this step, or doing it alone without the proper equipment, results in water being left behind, which has the potential to cause substantial damage in the future.
Step 6: Check for Mold and Odors
Once the region is dried up, inspection for any mold growth can begin. Mold is a grave threat, even in small quantities, to the lungs and overall well-being of a person. Mold inspection and cleaning is often included in Water Damage Services.
In addition, they eliminate lingering odors using special cleaning sprays and air purifiers. This contributes to the safety and freshness of your home.
Step 7: Plan for Repairs
Consider the repairs needed for your property, such as walls, flooring and paint, now that it has been declared safe and dry. A large majority of Water Damage Services either offer repairs or partner with reliable contractors to fulfill these services.
Always ensure to ask for a quote, check relevant reviews, and confirm insurance and licensing before selecting a contractor.
FAQs
1. What should I do first after a water leak?
Try to stop the water source and disconnect any electrical appliances. After that, contact a Water Damage Services team to prevent further damage.
2. How fast should I act after water damage?
You have a 24 hour period in which you should try to solve the problem immediately. If there is a delay, there will be additional mold growth, bad odors, and damage to the house.
3. Am I able to personally take care of the water damage cleaning?
While spills can be taken care of, larger leaks and flooding are best left to the professionals at Water Damage Services. They have the proper equipment to ensure everything is dried and cleaned.
4. Is it possible for an insurance company to cover the damage caused by water?
It’s case by case based on your insurance plan. Make sure to document the damage then speak with your provider. In a lot of instances, plans assist if sudden changes and not neglect caused the damage.
5. How much time is needed to let a house dry up from water damage?
Generally, the period is between 3 and 5 days but they do depend on the severity of the damage. Water Damage Services uses machines to speed up the process.