The Beginners Guide To Water Damage

If you’re reading this article, your house may have standing water. We know you are probably overwhelmed and confused about what to do next.

We will give you a step by step guide on how to handle the situation and some great tips on what to expect once your house is drying.

Safety First!

If you have electricity and water near each other stay clear of the area. Find your breaker box and turn off your electricity to the affected area.

Call a water restoration company.

If your water heater or a pipe has burst you need to call a plumber also. A plumber can’t extract the water and the water restoration company can’t fix your plumbing.

Assess the type of leak you have.

If it is a sewage leak do not touch the water. Sewage can be dangerous to your health.

Remove valuables from standing water.

If you have furniture or valuables sitting in the water remove them from the affected area.

Don’t be scared!

You are probably looking around worried about how much all of this will cost. Many times insurance will cover your drying costs and replace your damaged valuables. Your restoration company can help you file your insurance claim.

Let your restoration company take care of your possessions.

If you have valuables that you could not immediately remove your restoration company will move them for you. They can even move your things to storage to get them in a safe location while your house is drying. If the house is unlivable due to work being done or its condition, your insurance company will most likely pay for you to stay in a hotel until the work is done.

Now that you have a water restoration company involved you can feel safe that your home will be taken care of. Here are a few tips that can help you get through the drying process.

Don’t fall for the insurance companies tricks.

When your insurance company tries to prevent you from filing a claim, don’t fall for it. They are trying to save themselves money- not you! This is the exact reason you have homeowners insurance!

Your water restoration company will come in with fans and dehumidifiers.

We know they are loud and obnoxious, but they are working hard to get your house dry. Restoration companies have special tools that can calculate the moisture in your home. They will know exactly when your house is dry.

Baseboards and drywall may need to be removed to fully dry out your area.

You don’t want water hiding in the walls and causing mold growth. Your restoration company should be equipped to get your home back to working order.