How do you Recover from Water Damage?
Water damage is one of the most devastating home disasters a homeowner can experience. When a pipe bursts, a drain backs up or a flood occurs, it can be hard to see past the mess. Water-damaged possessions are often unsalvageable, cleaning up the mess can be back-breaking, and the threat of mold development can linger for weeks. A number of questions will run through your mind.
- How did this happen?
- Are all my belongings ruined?
- What do I do now?
When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. With quick action, you can make the recovery process as painless as possible.
These are the first things you should do after experiencing water damage in your home:
- Turn off the circuit breaker
- Stop the leak
- Contact your insurance company
- Call a restoration company
Electrical Safety
Whenever you’re dealing with water damage, your first concern should be electrical safety. You need to shut off the circuit breakers that power all the wiring and outlets near the damage as soon as possible. If you’re recovering from a widespread flooding event and have standing water in your home, you will need to contact your utility company and have them completely remove the electrical meter.
Stop the Leak
If the leak is coming from your household plumbing, the damage could be worsening by the second. That’s why it’s crucial to know exactly where your home’s main water shut-off valve is. Stop the leak as soon as you can to prevent further water damage.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Once you’ve eliminated the risk of electrical shock and the flow of water, you need to contact your homeowner’s insurance company to file a report. We also recommend that you take photos of all the water damage, prior to beginning clean up.
Call a Restoration Company
If you’re willing to put in the hard work, you can perform much of the water cleanup yourself. However, due to the nature of the work and the associated mold risk, many homeowners opt to hire a restoration company. They will have the proper equipment on hand to eliminate the water right away so the drying process can start.
Water damage recovery is a long haul. If you need help recovering from a plumbing breach or if you need help preventing one, contact your local Vancouver Plumbing Experts at Universal Plumbing & Heating, today.
