The term “water damage” describes the destruction that occurs when water enters and spreads throughout the interior of a home or other structure. It can be slow and subtle, like water spots that eventually degrade a surface, or sudden and catastrophic, like burst pipes and flooding.
Regardless of how quickly it happens, water damage is a leading cause of expensive repairs and replacements.
How to Recover from Water Damage
It might be challenging to recover from extensive water damage. Whether a flood or a broken pipe caused the damage, you might need to remove mold, rip out floorboards, knock down walls, repair sidings, or entirely renovate your basement. It could appear like there is an endless list of damaged locations that require renovation. Let us help you sort things out.
Here are 7 Immediate Steps to take:
1. Contact your insurance company
Depending on the policies you have, your homeowners’ insurance may differ. The company will send out an estimator to figure out how bad the damage is and how much your insurance will pay.
Please keep track of any valuables that may have been lost or damaged in addition to the property itself so that you may include them in your insurance claim.
Remember that not all homeowner’s policies will reimburse you for water damage.
2. Safety first!
Before starting cleanup, you need to do a few things to keep yourself safe. First, make sure the power is off in your home or building. Water and electricity together spell D-A-N-G-E-R! So before you do anything else, make sure you’ve taken care of this.
Check out the area once the power is out. Check the walls and ceilings to make sure they are still in good shape. If the floorboards or ceiling are sagging, you should stay away and wait for a professional to fix it.
3. Begin initial cleanup immediately
If you can, water damage repair should start within 24 to 48 hours after you are allowed back into the building. Try to remove as much water as possible by using clean towels and, if you have one, a wet vac. To stop mold and mildew from spreading inside the structure, you may need to remove flooring, drywall, and insulation. Depending on the water damage, furniture may also need to be dried out, cleaned, or thrown away. You should start this process as soon as possible because water and moisture can damage hardwood floors quickly.
Get help from a restoration service, like Resto Clean, if the damage is too extensive for one person or family to handle. It will keep you safe and ensure the water damage is fixed correctly.
4. How to get rid of humidity and dry out water damage
If you decide to start the drying process yourself, make sure to wear safety gear. Determine what can be saved and get rid of anything that is too broken or dangerous to use.
You can start to get rid of a lot of standing water with buckets or plastic tubs. Then, use a mop to soak up excess water in places that are hard to reach. Once most of the water is gone, finish the job with a wet/dry vacuum and let the area air out and dry well. A dehumidifier can help this happen faster.
5. Warding off molds after water damage
Mold can build up after the first 24 hours after a flood, and it won’t be easy to get rid of once it has. So it’s crucial to take action to prevent mold as soon as you notice water damage in your home.
Then, as you dry things out, avoid contaminating your entire house with mold spores. Mold is frequently discovered in closets, basements, baths, and many other locations.
Mold spores can stay latent or inactive but may still threaten your property unless it has been eliminated. Therefore, it is advisable to have a professional aid with the drying process to reduce the likelihood of developing mold significantly.
6. Deciding what to fix after water damage
The most time-consuming aspect of cleaning up after a flood is fixing the damage to your home caused by water. Almost everything from the floor to the walls to the furniture needs to be repaired or replaced. Again, it’s best to consult a professional if you are to undergo massive renovations.
7. When should you return to your house/office?
It’s safe to return to your restored, mold-free house once you’ve received approval to do so from your insurance provider, the restoration/construction firm, and (in the case of natural disasters) your local government.
When there is a lot of water damage, it can be traumatic and frustrating. But even if the worst case happens, you can still get back on your feet. You can get your house or office back in order and your mind back at rest by saving what you can and then hiring experts to finish the job.
At Resto Clean, we offer complete water cleanup services in Wasilla!
We are a recognized full-service company that can undertake major renovations, new construction, and minor repairs. From the interior of your house to water damage in the basement, we work in many different areas.
We are available 24/7. To reach us, dial 907-671-8700. You may also visit Resto Clean for additional information.
