When disaster strikes, unforeseen circumstances such as flooding, roof leaks or sewage backups can cause harmful water damage to your home or business.
You might be tempted to play down a less intimidating water leak as not so significant, but even the slightest leak can cause structural damage to your home. Further, mildew and mold can develop in a little over 24 hours, which can negatively impact your health.
If you ever face water damage, the five steps highlighted here can help:
1. Safety First
The first thing to do is to ensure you and your property are safe with these measures:
- Turn off your power. However, if shutting off the electricity would involve entering or standing in wet areas, cordon off the area and call an electrician.
- Protect your valuables. Remove personal property like sensitive documents, photos, furniture and jewelry from flooded areas as soon as possible to reduce the risk of water damage and stains.
- Wear protective gear. Assembling yourself in proper protective wear like rubber boots and gloves before entering water damaged areas of your property can help stop the spread of bacterial and other infections.
2. Contact Your Insurance Provider
After securing the site of your water damage, call your insurance company to begin the claims process. While policies differ, getting in touch with your insurance company right away is a good idea, even if you’re not sure you have adequate coverage. Not all suitable types of insurance for residential and commercial properties are the same, and not all policies automatically include flood insurance.
It’s important to note that a standard homeowner’s insurance policy won’t cover water damage caused by floods. When you are filing a claim with your insurance, it’s important to take pictures and make thorough notes of any damage(s) to your property, being sure to document any infrastructure or possessions that seem beyond repair.
3. Stop the Source of the Water Damage
Whenever possible, it’s important to try to stop the water damage at its source. For instance, if it’s a minor pipe leak, seal the pipe and shut it off to stop the leak. If the problem is more serious in nature, such as a broken pipe, turn off the main water supply to your home and call a plumber right away.
To lessen the extent of the damage, it’s imperative to keep the area as dry as possible. Also, opening windows and doors to allow fresh air in is extremely beneficial.
4. Prevent Mold
Mold will multiply rapidly in stagnant water, usually in about 24 hours. Watch for mold stains on your carpet, walls, and ceiling. If you find additional mold growth near the leak’s origin and it’s only a trace amount, wipe it away with soap and bleach. Never touch mold with your bare skin. Always wear protective gear.
Because mold can be so dangerous depending on the type, if the mold spreads more than several feet, you should get in touch with mold removal professionals immediately. A qualified specialist can detect the earliest signs of mold growth, minimizing damage.
5. Conduct Necessary Repairs
Finally, you can start the repairs once everything is dry and clean. Your insurance claim adjuster should provide you with a complete report detailing all the areas in need of repair, which you should then share with your contractor.
It would be best to leave water damage repair to the professionals. With the adequate experience and access to deal with the source of your water damage, you can rely on a reputable professional to possess the tools required to properly handle the job.
Further, inquire as to the best way to prevent possible occurrences in the future. For example, constructing a flood barrier if you’re in a flood-prone location can be helpful.
Conclusion
If your home sustains water damage in Wayne, Macomb, or Oakland County, Restore by DSM should be your first call. With over 65 years of experience in disaster restoration services, this exceptional team is available around the clock to help.
Contact Restore by DSM when you need superior water damage service and solutions.