If you experience water damage, it can feel overwhelming at first. To help, our experienced team at Restor-It put together these 8 tips to tackle water damage repair immediately. These will help you reduce additional issues (and keep your headaches to a minimum, too).
1. Call a Trusted Water Damage Repair Professional
While it may seem easy to do on your own, there can be hidden issues and potential problems that arise along the way.
Restor-It helps clients by providing 24/7 support. We know that you need help right away when water damage occurs.
Call us today at 678.355.6645 if you need emergency water damage support. We’ll talk through the details of your water damage or emergency situation. Then, we’ll schedule an appointment for our water damage repair experts to come onsite as soon as possible.
2. Check to Make Sure it’s Safe to Enter
Many times with water damage, you can still move around your home. However, serious water damage can weaken the building’s structural integrity. Sagging ceilings are a common indicator of structural damage.
3. Turn off the Electricity in Areas Affected by Water Damage
You’ll want to make sure to turn off the electricity in the building to avoid electrical shock. Wet appliances and electronics are extremely hazardous. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (EFSI) shares additional details on repairing and replacing damaged electronics here on their website.
4. Be Aware of the Potential for Mold
If the damaged area has been underwater for over 24 hours, you should probably wear a mask to avoid inhaling anything dangerous like mold spores.
There are different types of water damage, too. Some common types include:
“Clean” water damage
This type of water comes from rain or flood damage or leaky pipes. It’s relatively harmless to clean up yourself but is still a tedious process.
Grey water damage
This is slightly dirty water that often comes from appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines or even clean toiletsn. It may have some contaminants, so usually more safety gear is required when dealing with grey water damage repair.
Black water damage
This type involves sewage or serious flooding from nearby rivers or lakes. This water usually contains bacteria, waste, and/or other serious contaminants. Black water can be connected with serious health problems, so it’s important to work with trusted professionals like Restor-It when dealing with it.
5. Remove Any Standing Water if Possible
You can use a wet-dry vacuum to remove some of the standing water. Also, you can use towels for smaller pools of water on furniture, counters, and other surfaces.
You should probably wait for your professional water damage repair team to arrive if there’s more than a one to two feet of water. Why? Because removing large amounts of water too quickly can damage the foundation of the building.
When water damage occurs, the floor will likely be slippery and some objects may shift during any flooding. Slips and falls can happen with water damage cleanup projects. So, be cautious! Leave any major work to an experienced water damage repair partner like Restor-It.
6. Move Any Furniture, Rugs, and Smaller Items
There are likely some items you’ll want to raise up off the floor or move so they don’t get any further water damage:
- Take any area rugs from the room and spread them outside to dry.
- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs to prevent any carpet stains. If any wood furniture is exposed to excessive moisture, it can transfer a stain to the carpet which may leave permanent marks. You can also get rust stains from metal tables or chair legs.
- It’s also a good idea to move smaller items such as books, toys, and chairs to protect them as well.
7. Check Your Insurance Coverage
With any significant water damage, you’ll want to check your homeowner’s insurance policy details to see what is covered. Something like a burst pipe is more likely to be covered than a slow leak. So, review your policy details and contact your insurance agent or company if you have any questions.
Our Restor-It team also works directly with your insurance company to make sure your claim is handled properly from start to finish.
8. Take a Deep Breath
Don’t let water damage overwhelm you! You’ve taken some important steps. And, now you have a trusted partner on the way to help you through the rest of the process.
Why Trust Restor-It for Water Damage Repair?
Restor-It has a support line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since water damage doesn’t wait for regular business hours. We know how overwhelming and devastating it can be to experience flooding or water damage at your home or business.
We also use advanced drying equipment and techniques to manage water damage as soon as possible. This helps minimize any long term impact. Our Restor-It team is dedicated to stabilizing and minimizing water damage as quickly and safely as possible.
The specialized equipment we use helps remove water including any hidden moisture quickly and efficiently. We then dry things with powerful dehumidifiers. Lastly, our technicians clean the damaged area with professional grade cleaners and sanitizers. This means you can feel comfortable and safe in your home after the water damage repair is complete.
Read more glowing reviews from Restor-It customers or contact us today to talk about your water damage repair needs.
From new floors to emergency fire and water damage, Restor-It has you covered.
