Sometimes preventing water damage is out of our control. When the unthinkable happens and your home sustains substantial water damage, dealing with it can be frustrating. To help make the process a little less overwhelming, follow the below tips.
Be Prepared Emotionally
Few are prepared for the emotional impact of seeing your home desolated by water and your possessions damaged beyond repair. Dealing with this is no small task. Be conscious of both the physical and emotional toll caused by this event.
Turn Off the Power
Before you do any work, turn off the power to the areas you will be working on. The last thing you need now is to mix water and electricity.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
In this process, it is important that you dot your I's and cross your T’s. Make sure you contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Many professionals will recommend to not do anything until your insurance company has been notified. If it is something that absolutely can’t wait, put on your protective gear and document everything you do with pictures and/or video. If you can, wait for the insurance adjuster before you get started so you can have an extra level of documentation.
Try not to DIY. Hire a Professional
Although you may be confident in your capabilities, if your home has endured substantial water damage, it is better in the long run to let a professional handle it. If you can, hire a water remediation or restoration specialist. If this is not an option for you, then connect with a contractor that you trust, but also has the knowledge and resources to work with a water damaged home. We recommend making sure that whatever professional you choose uses a water meter to ensure there is no dampness left beneath the surface after your home has been dried out.
Salvage What You Can & Let Go of What You Can’t
The general rule of thumb is if it got wet, theres a good chance it could be contaminated. This includes, personal effects, furniture, structural or building materials and much more. There is definitely a greater risk if the water damage in your home was caused by floodwater. Generally, it is best to let a professional remove the contaminated items, but if that isn’t an option, make sure your entire body is covered in protective gear thick enough that it can’t be punctured. Be careful to remove your protective gear and shower as soon as possible so that you don’t spread any germs you may have picked up.
Items that will most likely need to be disposed of are:
- Furniture
- Drywall & Baseboards
- Insulation
- Flooring (Wood flooring, Carpet, etc.)
- Cabinetry
Remember, that although these items may feel dry on the surface, there still could be moisture trapped beneath them. If you are the least bit unsure, throw it out.
Dry, Dry, DRY
After all of the contaminated items have been removed, it’s time to dry your home out as quickly as possible. Many professionals will use high powered fans and dehumidifiers. It never hurts to open up your windows (if Mother Nature is cooperating) to assist as well. Each city or state has a moisture content level that your professional will be working to get the moisture level of your home to meet.
Check for Mold
When it comes to water in your home, mold is the number one concern to address. The longer there is water in your home, the higher the chances that mold is affecting your home. Professionals say that if the conditions are right, mold can grow within 24 hours. Mold has the ability to not only contaminate your home, but also cause you or your loved ones to get sick. Do your due diligence to make sure that your home isn’t affected.
See the Opportunity
Although this definitely wasn't what you hoped for, you now may have the opportunity to make the adjustments you always wanted to make to your home. Make the most of this silver lining and if you can, use this chance to create the home you always wanted.
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