9 Things to Consider when Dealing with Water Damage

If your home recently sustained water damage, it can be a confusing and stressful ordeal. Knowing when to call an expert and what to do when your home is impacted by water damage is important. Here are nine things to consider when you are dealing with water damage.

1 - Find the source of the water damage

The most important thing to consider when you are dealing with water damage is what the source of the problem is. Whether it is a leaky pipe, rainwater, or an overflow finding the source of water damage will allow you or a professional to resolve the problem, and prevent any further damage.

2 - Understand what type of water is damaging your home

There are three different types of water that may be damaging your home. The first type is clean water, which comes from a source of water free of harmful contaminants, such as a shower or sink. The next type of water is gray water, which comes from sources such as dishwashers or rainfall. This type of water may contain contaminants. Lastly, there is black water, which contains potentially life-threatening contaminants, such as sewage overflows or flood waters.

3 - Find out what your insurance covers

As soon as you discover water damage, be sure to call your insurance company. This will allow you to determine what part of the damage your insurance company will cover, and allow you to begin water damage restoration as soon as possible.

4 - Handle water damage quickly

If your home underwent water damage, it is crucial to deal with the problem as soon as possible. If you do not take care of it in a quick and timely manner, mold and other serious problems may arise. This will not only affect your health but also your wallet. Hiring a professional mold removal team is quite expensive. Instead, start water damage cleanup right away.

5 - If you are handling the situation yourself, take proper safety precautions

If the water damage is from either gray or black water, you should not try to fix the water damage yourself. However, no matter what type of water damage there is you always need to take the proper safety precautions. This includes wearing a mask, safety goggles, and gloves to ensure that you do not get sick or injured.

6 - Inspect for serious issues

If your house has been damaged by water, it is important to inspect for any major issues. Major issues include any mold, dirty water, busted pipes, or other significant damage. This will help a professional water damage company by allowing them to prepare for the job that they will be performing.

7 - Focus on the ceiling first

Whenever you are dealing with water damage it is crucially important to focus on the ceiling. The reason for this is that water damage in the ceiling can lead to damage in other parts of the house if it leaks. Additionally, if it is not dealt with quickly it can become extremely expensive. Therefore, make sure water damage cleanup on the ceiling is a top priority.

8 – Make sure you or a water damage cleanup company investigate all potential damage

Often times when attending to water damage there is more damage than we can initially see. That is one reason why it is important to enlist the help of an expert to investigate the source and full extent of the water damage. This is pivotal for water damage cleanup.

9 - Ensure that there is proper airflow throughout the affected area

Mold and mildew love to grow in moist environments without lots of airflow. Therefore, to ensure a safer living environment and cut down on potential costs it is important to have proper airflow. This may mean that you need to use a fan in an impacted area. Overall, this crucial step will help water damage restoration.

These tips will help you get to the root cause of water damage, allow water damage professionals to have a better idea of what they are dealing with, and reduce your level of stress.