Water is an essential commodity for people. But for structures such as houses, water can be destructive if uncontrolled.
Aside from causing structural damage and ruining personal belongings, water damage can also bring health and safety risks to you and your family. As such, when water damage occurs in your home, you need to be prepared and know what you should and shouldn’t do.
This post shares common do’s and don’ts when handling water damage. Keep on reading to learn more.
Water Damage Restoration Do’s
Wondering what you should do in terms of water damage restoration? Below are some do’s you should know about:
- Do Shut Off Your Main Water And Power Supply
The first thing you need to do when faced with water damage is to find your main water supply and shut it off.
Unless you’re experiencing a hurricane in your area that caused flooding, the water damage may have occurred due to a compromised pipe in your home’s plumbing or any water-using appliances. Turning off your main water supply can stop the leak and prevent further damage to the area.
In addition to your water line, you should turn off your power line. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. So, be careful when turning it off to prevent safety hazards.
- Do Call A Professional
The most important thing to remember when you experience water damage – whether from a burst pipe or a storm, is that you can’t handle much of the restoration process by yourself. Even if you aren’t overwhelmed with the damage it causes, you probably don’t have the necessary tools and resources to restore your home to a healthy, stable condition.
While removing water from your home may seem straightforward, the truth is that water leaves numerous problems that most people can’t see. If you’re hoping to restore your home immediately while avoiding long-term damage and structural integrity issues, it’s best to call the professionals directly. If you need professional help with your restoration, give professional water damage restorers a call.
- Do Contact Your Insurance And Gather Pieces Of Evidence
After calling a water damage restoration expert, you also want to contact your insurance provider. Even if the damage was caused by flooding and you don’t have coverage, it’s better to ask your provider. Depending on the cause, there may be a way for your policy to cover it, mainly if it’s because of someone’s fault, which has insurance coverage.
Additionally, make sure to get enough evidence of the damage that occurred in your home. Take clear pictures and videos of potential damages to your home and document everything to ensure a fair claim.
Water Damage Restoration Don’ts
Enumerated below are several water damage restoration don’ts that you should consider. Continue reading to find out more.
- Don’t Delay
When water damage occurs, delaying will only cause further damage to your home and personal belongings. You need to act fast when you first notice water or moisture invading your home uncontrollably.
Stop the source right away. Remove and relocate all valuable items off-site. Furniture, equipment, and other personal belongings that haven’t already been damaged should be moved to a higher level, preventing them from coming in contact with water. Even items that may already be damp such as rugs or sofas, should still be removed.
- Don’t Use Electrical Appliances Near The Affected Area
As mentioned before, water and electricity don’t work well together. As such, refrain from using electrical appliances near the affected area.
Make sure to remove all electrical items from the water-damaged area. And don’t try to plug in fans, dehumidifiers, and other electrical tools to dry up the affected area since electrical sockets may have been compromised and cause safety hazards.
Instead, you can open the doors and windows to help accelerate the drying process. Depending on the amount of water, you can also remove moisture by using rags or sweeping the area.
- Don’t Stay In The Area For Too Long
Don’t risk your or your family’s safety by staying in that area or trying to save as many belongings as possible. After stabilizing the situation as much as possible, move out of your home and wait for the water damage restoration service to arrive.
Water will always be a hazard, which may cause slip and fall injuries. If standing water contains harmful contaminants, it can pose serious health issues. Moreover, uncontrolled water may have weakened your home’s structure, particularly the supporting walls and ceilings, which may collapse anytime.
Takeaway
Water damage is a common yet serious issue faced by homeowners. Fast action is critical to prevent further damage to your home and personal belongings when it occurs. However, note that the wrong move can only delay recovery or worsen the situation.
So, remember the abovementioned water damage restoration do’s and don’ts to guide you during such emergencies.
