Water damage can happen to any home, but it’s especially common in older homes that have been built with inadequate foundation systems or are subject to heavy flooding. If you find this kind of damage in your home, there are a few steps you should take to help minimize the damage and get your home back to normal as quickly as possible.
Causes of water damage
- Broken water pipes: Liquid can leak from broken pipes, leading to flooding and harm. To prevent this from happening, keep an eye on your meter and report any broken pipes to your local utility company as soon as possible.
- Leaks from appliances: Hoses, faucets, and other appliances can cause leaks that lead to flooding. If you notice any strange or unexplained damage, be sure to investigate the source of the leak.
- Frostbite: In cold weather, water can freeze on the outside of your home and cause frostbite or other harm. If you notice any unusual ice buildup or damage around your windows or doors, be sure to contact a professional.
- Severe weather: Extreme weather conditions like hurricanes or floods can cause massive amounts of water damage in minutes. If you live in an area prone to extreme weather, be prepared and monitor your insurance policy for any potential claims.
When to contact a professional
If you find devastation in your home, there are a few things you should do. First, call a professional like sosrescuerestoration to assess the harm and determine what needs to be done. If the damage is minor, you may be able to clean and dry the area yourself. If it is more severe, or if it’s an emergency situation, call a professional immediately. There are many things that can go wrong with damages at home, and calling a professional can help prevent any serious issues from occurring.
How to spot water damage
The first step is to check for obvious signs. Look for wet floors, ceilings, or walls; standing water; and soffit or gutter flooding. If you find any of these signs, contact a professional immediately.
If you don’t see any obvious signs of devastation, then take some time to inspect the area yourself. Look for areas where the flooring or walls are damp, and check for material that’s bulging or heaving due to liquid pressure. If you spot any of these signs, again – contact a professional as soon as possible.
Once you’ve identified potential destruction, the next step is to start drying out the area. If there’s standing water, turn off all the faucets in the house and open all the windows to allow air to flow in and dry everything out. If there’s soffit or gutter flooding, wait until it’s been cleared before trying to dry anything out.
If there’s no standing liquid present, try to dry things out as quickly as possible using fans and ovens set to low heat. Remove any objects that can catch on fire (like curtains), and ensure to cover any electrical outlets and switches with protective covers.
How to clean up
The first thing you need to do is to evacuate the area. If the stream is coming from a pipe, turn off the main valve in the house and call a professional. If the floods coming from a wall or floor drain, use a plunger to suction onto the drainage pipe and pull up until the water stops coming out. You use a vacuum cleaner to remove any debris from the floor. Use a bucket to collect any liquid that has leaked onto the ceiling or walls. Finally, use a mop and bucket to clean up any remaining droplets. Do not try to fix anything yourself; call a professional immediately.
How to dry out wrecked items
If you find yourself in a situation where water has destroyed some items in your home, the first thing you should do is to evacuate the area. Once you have done that, it is important to start drying out any affected items. If the water has pooled on the floor, you may need to use a dehumidifier to help reduce the amount of moisture in the air. When drying items, be careful not to put too much heat or pressure on them, as this could cause further damage.
How to avoid damage
If you live in a climate that experiences heavy rainfall, it’s important to be aware of the water damage risks your home may face.
To help mitigate these risks, follow these tips for protecting your home from damage:
- Insulate Your Home: One of the best ways to avoid harm is by insulating your home properly. This can help keep moisture out and make it harder for the liquid to reach your property.
- Install Storm Drains: Another key strategy for preventing damage is installing storm drains near your home’s foundation. This will help divert excess rain away from your property and prevent flooding in the first place.
- Have a Designated Clean-up Person on Staff: One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when it comes to water damage is not having someone on staff who is specifically trained in handling clean-up. This person should have access to all necessary tools and supplies to clean up any harm the water has done quickly and efficiently.
- Plan Ahead for Heavy Rainfall: When planning your landscaping, be sure to include drainage systems that can handle heavy rainfall. This way, you won’t have to worry about water entering your home in the event of a storm.
- Make sure your home is well-sealed. Water can seep through cracks and gaps in the roof, walls, and floors. Make sure all pipes and wires are properly sealed and that drafts are eliminated.
- Keep gutters clean. Gutter clogs can cause water to overflow onto roofs and into other areas of your home. Clean them regularly to avoid this type of problem.
- Check doors and windows. Make sure they are closed tightly to keep water out. If they are not, water can enter through the gaps and cause damage.
- Shut off utilities when you leave the house. If you’re going away for an extended period of time, make sure all utilities are shut off at the main switch in the house so that no one can turn them on while you’re gone. This will also help prevent accidental leaks if someone else is in the house while you’re gone.
Conclusion
If you have water damage in your home, there are a few things you should do right away. First and foremost, reach out to a professional for help. Next, assess the extent of the damage. If it’s small, you may be able to handle it yourself. However, if the damage is more extensive or if there are any hazardous materials present, then it would be best to call an emergency service immediately. Finally, start cleaning up any water that has leaked into your home. This can include removing wet furniture, flooring, and other items from areas that have been flooded as well as mopping floors and walls.
