There are not many things as frustrating to experience as severe flooding and water damage. Whether it’s a broken pipe, leaking appliance, or more concerning problems like flooded basements and sewer backups, these issues can be colossal undertakings to handle. Time will always be against you to make matters even worse since mold can begin growing in 24 hours, even if you are only dealing with a bit of water. There are also other structural and safety hazards that you might overlook and address until the very end.
With that said, you will need to learn more about water damage to understand how best to deal with the problem. In this guide, we’ll cover some helpful tips that should guide you on what to do if you find yourself in these kinds of situations.
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Table of Contents
Turn the power off
It goes without saying that electricity and water do not make for a good combination. Therefore, you must turn the power off in case of a flood. In this way, you’ll ensure that you and anyone else in your home will stay safe and won’t get electrocuted. But if you need to go to an area that’s wet to do so, call up your electrician instead. After all, you’ll only end up hurting yourself if you try to do it.
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Contact the insurance company
Homeowners’ insurance may differ depending on the policies you’ve got. Usually, the company will send their adjuster to assess and evaluate the damages you’ve incurred and determine whether or not the losses are covered as soon as you get in touch with the insurance company and document all affected items and their respective values. Be sure to take photos too before and after you’ve cleaned up. This will be helpful to the adjuster.
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Begin with the repairs immediately
Once you’ve documented the damage and reached out to the insurance company, you must begin with the repairs immediately. Restoration for water damage should always start within 24 to 48 hours after the home has been cleared for re-entry. More often than not, there’s too much damage for a single person or even a family to address. It’s not uncommon to remove insulation, flooring, and drywall to keep mildew and mold from spreading. You might also need to clean, dry, or throw away furniture and other items, which can be a very tough job to do.
In these cases, it is always worth investing in professional restoration services to get the job done promptly. Doing so won’t just ensure that you and your family are kept safe and that the job is done right, but it will also save you the trouble of doing it yourself.
Conclusion
Whether it’s due to plumbing concerns or the weather, it’s never easy to deal with water damage. However, by understanding what needs to be done and prioritizing your tasks, you will be able to get things sorted and in order quickly without too much trouble.
