Water damage can occur due to many reasons. It may be a broken pipe, leaking appliance, sewer backups, flooded basements, or even a fire. Delaying the water damage restoration makes the matter worse.
When it comes to water damage, the first 24 to 48 hours are critical. Untreated water damage can lead to mold infestation, bacteria, viruses, fungi, chemicals, and gasses. These can cause serious health hazards like respiratory problems, skin irritation, eye irritations, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
Restoring the water damage within 48 hours is best to avoid any imminent financial or health damages.
Handling the Water Damage the Right Way!
To prevent any serious damage, you should take immediate action for water damage restoration. Don’t fret, and just follow these 6 easy steps:
Contact Your Insurance Provider
The first thing you need to do is, contact your insurance company when you notice water damage. They will assess the damages to determine whether your insurance covers it or not. It may vary from one homeowner’s insurance policy to another. Don’t forget to take notes of your items so you can be compensated. Also, take photos before and after the clean-up process starts.
Ensure the Safety
Protect yourself, your family, and your valuables in a situation of water damage and flooding. Don’t mix electricity and water; therefore, your first course of action should be to turn off the electrical gadgets. However, if entering the wet areas requires you to switch off your home appliances, call your electrician immediately. Lift off the furniture from the carpets. You can insert tin foils under furniture feet. If you can, remove the rugs from the wet flooring. While inside the house, wear protective clothing like rubber boots and gloves.
Begin the Water Damage Restoration
It is best to start the water damage restoration within 24 to 48 hours. Start by documenting all the damages before the restoration. Call for an expert water damage restoration company in case of extensive damage.
Looking for a professional water damage restoration company in Lee’s Summit? Contact Enviro-Dry at 816-654-5067. We have over 20 years of experience in the industry and can help you with all your water damage needs, big or small. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us!
Remove Humidity and Water
Removing the water from the house will make the drying phase much easier. If the damage is not that extensive, and you want to do the restoration yourself, then take out the water using buckets. It’s important to wear gloves and other protective gear while working. Once you remove the water, dry the floors and wet areas using a dry mop cloth. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to dry wet areas. You can also use a dehumidifier to speed up the process and remove humidity. In the worst case, you may want to remove flooring, drywall, or any insulation to prevent mold and mildews spread. Also, dry or throw out (if needed) any furniture from the house.
Look for Mold
Water-damaged areas are more prone to mold growth; it usually occurs in less than 36 hours. To prevent mold growth in the house, it is best to dry water as quickly as possible. Also, once you restore the damage, look thoroughly for mold growth. If you spot mold in some areas, call for professional mold remediation experts and get it treated as soon as possible.
Make a Plan for Restoration
In case of water damage, the flooring and walls are mostly damaged. You may need to replace flooring and walls entirely. For flooring and walls repair and replacement, call for an expert.
Water damage is a serious issue and requires professional help. While most people think they can do the restoration themselves, that’s not the case. Water damage has three classes; each class represents a different severity level. It is important to understand the severity level to get the right restoration approach. And that’s why you need a professional water damage restoration company. Contact Enviro-Dry at 816-654-5067. We have over 20 years of experience in the industry and can help you with all your water damage needs. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us!