Serious water damage can be overwhelming and frustrating. You may have come home to find an appliance or water heater has leaked and flooded an area of your house. Perhaps you evacuated your home before a natural disaster and your home flooded. Maybe you went into your attic to get the holiday decorations only to find dampness and mold from a leaky roof. No matter the situation, there are important actions you can take before and after you call your local water damage restoration
company.
Turn off the Water Main
If you have stumbled upon a flooded area or a room where it is evident that water is leaking and causing continual damage, shut the water off at the source. Most fixtures have individual valves, and it might be simple enough to turn the water at the leak. If you do not see the source of the leak, or if you suspect a burst or leaking pipe within the wall, find the main water shut off and stop the flow. In most homes, the shut-off valve is located on an exterior wall near other utilities or in the basement. As a last resort, there is always an underground valve shutoff near your property line. Remember to turn valves clockwise to turn them off.
Beware of Electricity and Water Hazards
When in doubt for your safety, leave the area and wait for the professionals. Even though most of the time, the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets are designed to automatically shut off when components detect water, electricity and water combined constitute a significant hazard. In some instances – for example to stop any electricity from flowing to wet areas – it is wise to shut off power at the main breaker (the breaker box). Unless you are familiar with these components, however, leave it to the professionals and stay away from the area.
The water is off, and there is clearly no risk of electrocution. Should you attempt any cleanup? It depends on the type of water you discover. There are three types of water: clean, gray and black water. You can begin drying areas of clean water leaks. This type of water leaks from pipes and does not typically expose you to bacterial contamination. Gray water comes from appliances. Food particles and waste contaminate this type of water. This type of water it still safe to clean up, but be sure to properly wash your hands and rags you use for the cleanup. You should avoid the thirst type of water – black water. Black water seeps from sewers, and bacteria and fungi are often present.
Take Photographs or Videos
Depending on whether you make an insurance claim, you may want to document your water damage. Photographs and videos are excellent tools for taking an inventory. They are also critical for documenting the damage if you repair or dry the areas before the insurance adjuster inspects your home.
Speaking of Homeowners’ and Flood Insurance
Ideally, you know your insurance policy inside out, but most people are not sure exactly what is covered. Before you call the insurance company, locate your policy and read the details concerning water-damage and flooding. If you have questions or concerns, consult with the water damage restoration company. Sometimes, calling your insurance company directly to ask questions leads to higher premiums, so it is wise to do your own research, to look through your policy paperwork, and to work with the restoration company first.
It is important to understand that typical homeowners’ insurance does not cover water backup, floods, or sinkholes. You need a separate flood insurance policy to cover this damage. Your water restorationcompany will work with both you and your insurance carrier to submit claims that might be covered under your plan.
Start Removing Water and Drying Damaged Goods
When it comes to a small leak, you might need only fans and time. However, when you need to dry out and clean up a more expensive mess, how do you know what to salvage and what to toss? Many times, this decision comes down to the amount of water and the amount of time water has saturated the items.
Salvage meaningful and sentimental items like photographs. These days, many of us have most of our photos on a Cloud drive, making them easy to reprint. The most significant losses for homeowners healing with water damage are old photographs that they did not back up. Experts recommend rinsing with clean water if the water that leaked was gray or black and allowing the photos to gently air dry. You can gently air-dry most items with the help of fans and dehumidifiers over time. Air-dry or professionally clean items like area rugs if necessary. When you are not able to properly take care of delicate items like books, photographs, paintings or fabrics (blankets and clothes), temporarily freezing these can prevent mold and dyes or inks from bleeding.
Toss and replace damaged electronics, building materials like drywall, household appliances, and toxic materials like batteries. With significant damage or flooding, garbage haulers and government organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) suggest sorting your refuse into specific categories. Check out your municipality and local waste management guidelines.
Takeaways
As a homeowner, you take pride in your environment. The best remedy for accidents is to be proactive. Inspect your home inside and out regularly. Check for damage, leaks and potential issues. Protect your cherished belongings. Back up photographs and store important papers and treasures in waterproof and fireproof containers and areas. Know your insurance coverage inside and out and review the policy each year.
Accidents and natural disasters happen, and chances are you will need help and advice if you experience water leakage and the associated damage. Your local
water restorationcompany can guide you through the clean-up and restoration process. Call us at Enviro-Clean today.
