It’s a rainy day, and you’ve just arrived home from work to hear water running in your home. You follow the sound to the kitchen and find a burst pipe flooding the floor with water.
Finding your home sustaining water damage is the stuff of nightmares. However, knowing how to respond to emergency water damage is vital.
Taking immediate action is especially imperative if you don’t have home insurance. After all, taking the correct steps can mean the difference between minor damage and costly repairs or rebuilding.
Don’t let yourself get stuck in a water emergency without knowing what to do. Keep reading to learn about emergency preparedness and how to respond to flood damage in your home.
Step 1: Locate the Source
When you find your home flooding with water, the first step is to locate the source of the leak. There could be several places you could look, such as any room with water pipes:
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
- Laundry Room
- Basement
If the leak is not apparent, it could come from cracks in the walls or foundation. You want to address the source of the water damage promptly to avoid the damage worsening. You can do this by turning off the water flow to the source at the shutoff.
Step 2: Safety First
The next step you want to take immediately is to turn off all electrical sources in the affected area. You can do this by locating your circuit breakers or turning the plugs off at the wall.
Calling professionals to assist is safer if your electrical system has been compromised with water. You risk you or your family being seriously shocked if you don’t.
Remember to keep the damaged area clear of children and pets. Here are some additional safety tips to keep in mind:
- Do not touch any electrical appliances or wires that are wet
- Do not use any extension cords or power strips in the affected area
- Do not attempt to repair any electrical damage yourself
Step 3: Clear the Area
Once the leak has been found and addressed and the electrics have been turned off, it’s time to save your stuff. Wherever possible, move important furniture and possessions to another area in the house where they won’t get damaged further.
You want to move all wooden furniture as soon as possible so the wood is not damaged beyond repair. If you have any boxes, you should address these immediately, too. Water and cardboard don’t go together well; you can quickly find yourself with disintegrated boxes and damaged possessions.
Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company
Once you’ve gotten the immediate concerns under control, you can take a quick breather. The next step is to call your insurance company if you have an insurance policy that covers emergency water damage. By contacting your insurance, you can discover how they will approach water removal and damage restoration.
Typically, insurance companies will have their own professionals they can use in emergencies. This is usually included in your coverage but check your policy.
It’s important to note that even if you don’t contact your insurance company immediately, you must do so before attempting your own water removal and restorations. Failing to do so could mean the insurance company rejects your claim.
Step 5: Hire a Professional
if your insurance company has recommended any preferred professionals, or you don’t have home insurance, it’s time to hire someone to help with the restoration. This is especially needed if the emergency water damage is extensive and beyond your skill level. Professionals will also have the right equipment to aid in the water extraction and restoration, such as:
- Pumps
- Moisture Detectors
- Air Movers
- Dehumidifiers
- Waterproof Cameras
- Hygrometers
This equipment can be extremely helpful in locating the source of the leak if you were unable to do so in your inspection. This is especially important if the leak is coming through the walls or foundation, which can be challenging to locate.
Step 6: Contact a Specialist
If your home has severe water damage, consider including the extra step of contacting a specialist. This is important to assess if you will have problems with mold and mildew forming due to the flooding. This can happen when the water is not adequately extracted from the room.
Mold can cause many health problems if left unaddressed, so hiring a professional to help is vital to your family’s safety. If left untreated, health problems can cost your family a lot of money in hospital bills.
Step 7: Start The Restoration Process
The final step is to start the restoration process. Depending on your time availability and technical skill level, you may hire a professional restoration service or attempt the repairs as a DIY project.
It can be rewarding to complete the repairs yourself, but depending on the damage, it may be more cost-effective to leave it to the pros. However, repairs may be minor if the emergency water damage isn’t too extensive-for instance, carpet replacement or a new coat of paint on the affected wall.
Hiring a professional to ensure the repairs are done correctly and safely is best if the damage is more extensive, such as mold or structural damage. Here are some tips for hiring a professional flood restoration service:
- Get multiple quotes
- Ask about the company’s experience and qualifications
- Make sure the company is licensed and insured
- Get everything in writing, including the scope of work, the estimated cost, and the payment terms
Quick Action for Emergency Water Damage
Water damage can be a major inconvenience and lead to serious health problems if not addressed quickly. If you experience water damage in your home, it is crucial to take action immediately to prevent further damage and to protect your health.
Start by locating the source of the leak, turn off the electricity to the affected area, and remove your possessions. Then, contact your insurance company and discuss the restoration process.
Do you need The CleanUP Guys to come to your home? Contact us today to request our services. We’re the number one team for emergency water damage.