6 Steps After Water Damages your Home

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

Water Damage

Take These 6 Steps After Water Damages Your Home

When severe water damage or flooding happens in your home, it’s nothing shy of devastating. Water damage can be caused by several factors, such as malfunctioning appliances, frozen and bursting pipes , a torrential rainstorm, sewer backup, or a flooded basement. No matter the cause, these six steps will help maximize your safety and minimize the damage to your home and surrounding property.  

Step 1:  Your Safety Always Come First!

Making sure you and your loved ones are out of harm’s way is your top priority after flooding or other water damage situations in your home. This means turning off the power in your home since water and electricity are a dangerous mix; turning off the main water valve in your home; and wearing protective gear like rubber gloves and boots to prevent the spread of any bacteria in standing water.

Step 2: Document Damage, Then Call Your Insurance Company and a Water Damage Restoration Professional.

Take record of every item in your home and take as many photos as possible to document the damage. Then call your insurance company to report the damage and schedule an appointment with a claims adjuster who can assess the situation and see what’s covered under your homeowner’s policy.  Since water damage can have immediate affects, it’s also important to call a water damage restoration professional like our SERVPRO team as soon as possible so we can assess the damage and begin the restoration process.  We’re available 24/7 for any size disaster at 414-421-3500.

Step 3: Protect Your Home’s Valuables.

Assess the damage and determine what valuables you can safely salvage. Depending on the extent of water damage, it’s best to leave the water removal process to a trained specialist. They have the equipment and skills necessary to properly remove water, sanitize areas, and dry out items in your home. But if you opt to start the process yourself, make sure you’re wearing protective gear and remove items with severe damage, such as water-soaked rugs. Also, preserve what valuables you can that have not been impacted by water damage, such as furniture.

Step 4: Dry Out Your Home and Identify Mold.

If you choose to start drying your home out on your own, make sure it is safe and you wear the proper protective gear, then use a wet vacuum and fans to remove water and dry areas. Also, carefully inspect water-soaked areas for mold. Note that mold can grow in as little as 48 hours following water damage if there is enough moisture. At SERVPRO, our water removal pros use industrial-grade dehumidifiers help prevent secondary water damage like swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture.  We also use high-speed air movers create airflow across walls, carpets, pads, and furniture, which accelerates the evaporation of moisture.

Step 5: Determine What Items Can be Restored, Cleaned and Repaired After Water Damage.

Some items will be easy to identify, clean and restore, but others may have more extensive damage. But there may be other areas in your home that require more extensive repairs, such as replacing drywall and flooring. In this case, you may need to work with your water damage restoration team to determine what construction professionals will help get your home back to its “Like it never even happened,” condition.

Step 6: Move Back Into Your Home.

When you can move back into your home depends on the extent of the water damage. If it’s just one room that was impacted, you can likely stay in your home the entire time but it may take at least 72 hours to several weeks before the repairs are complete and the damage is completely restored. Extensive water damage may mean that your home is not livable again in certain areas for several weeks or months. That’s why it’s best to get your insurance company and a water damage restoration provider involved as soon as possible so you can ensure proper repairs are being scheduled and made.

For Cleaning and Repair Beyond Water Damage

From fire damage and mold remediation to cleaning and sanitization, there are many other home emergencies that require professional help. Luckily your SERVPRO of Southeast Milwaukee County Team is only a phone call away at (414) 421-3500. Any time or day, we’re here to clean and restore homes and businesses.