Water damage is a devastating experience an individual can suffer in the home or in the building. There are various causes of water damage like burst pipes, seepage, natural calamities, clogged drains, leakage in the water heater, and many more which are unexpected. However, if you talk about the effects of water damage, it is also daunting as the home’s structural integrity and personal content gets damaged due to this issue. That’s why it is essential to take precautionary steps as soon as possible in order to stop the spread of water.
In short, start the water damaged restoration process quickly to eliminate the risk of further damage. But, most people are unaware of which step to take first to stop the spread of water in this problem?
So, if you are the one who wants to know those steps, then read this post till the end. Through this post, we will discuss the top 9 steps to improve the spread of water damagein your home or building.
- Stop the source of the problem.
This is one of the first steps which is vital to stop the spread of water; otherwise, there is no point in taking various other restoration steps. That means, when the issue occurs, first find the source of the problem and then turn off the water line completely to avoid any other issue.
But if the water is coming from your home due to leakage in the water heater, burst pipe, etc., then you can easily stop the water. If it is coming from outside, then it is recommended to call theprofessional of water damage restoration as soon as possible.
- Call your insurance company.
Calling an insurance company is another step that will help you to claim the damages caused by water damage. But how much claim you get wholly depends upon what policy you have taken for your home. After contacting the insurance company, they will send the adjuster to inspect your home and determine whether the loss will be covered in the claim.
But you must remember one thing: before the adjuster arrives, take as many photos as you can of the damage and start the restoration process. This step will help the adjuster assess the entire damage so they can pass the claim for further inquiry.
- Extract water
After the action of the insurance policy adjuster, it’s time to extract the water to clean your home. But make sure you only do the water damage cleanup process if the water is clean and is not contaminated by any dangerous things.
In other words, if the water in your home is sewage or black water, wait for the professional to come and clean up. On the other hand, if the water in your home is less, that means less than 2 feet, then only start the cleanup process on your own, but if it is more than, call the water damage restoration professionals for the work.
However, in case the water is less, take the help of a pump, push broom or a bucket to clean the mess. Apart from that, ensure not to use a vacuum cleaner as there is a risk of electrocution.
- Take a look for hidden moisture
Once you have removed the water from your building or home and started the drying process, ensure to take an inspection of the house to confirm any hidden moisture. That means checking moisture under the floorboards, ceilings, carpets, and various other areas where there are chances of moisture.
However, if you find moisture, make sure to turn on the fan, especially to that area so that it will dry and mold will not get develop.
- Ensure to remove all personal belongings and items
If you want to avoid any additional damage, ensure to remove all the items which are not attached to the walls and floor. This step must be done sooner, and it will be removed by water damage professionals. Apart from that, if you are physically active and strong, make sure to remove all the items made of porous material which have a high risk of permanent damage.
Apart from that, some other items like couches, tables, chairs, and various other small things are also removed before the professional arrives for the restoration.
- Identify mold
It is true that mold can start developing 24 hours after the water damage. According to experts, once they start growing, it is quite difficult to remove as it spreads quickly due to water and moisture everywhere. That’s why it is recommended to remove all the essential items from the place where water has gone, as it will offer less chance for the mold to grow.
However, if it gets worse, sometimes the restoration services will have to remove all that part of the home. So, ensure to be on the side of caution and call the water damage restoration professional quickly for the work.
- Make sure to give your home a proper air circulation
Once you have dried all the water from the home, it’s time to remove moisture from the house. The drying process is one of the vital steps for which you can take the help of large fans and dehumidifiers and open the windows of your home for the best result.
- Sanitize your home
If you want to prevent further damage caused by water damage, ensure that you clean and disinfect the whole area. The reason to sanitize the home is proper sanitization cuts down the overall percentage of bacteria. But make sure to only use warm water with the best chemical to wipe down all surfaces thoroughly.
Apart from that, properly look into the mold’s favorite spots, and if you find mold in such areas, do not clean the mold yourself as it is a risky task that can harm you and, after that, your family.
- Inspect the roof and siding
If your home roof and siding are not sealed properly, then after the water damage, you have to deal with costly repairs due to excess water and moisture. Moreover, inspect your entire home for weak spots where there are chances of mold.
The bottom line
These are the best nine steps to help you stop the spread of water damage. But ensure to follow the above steps carefully. Moreover, if you don’t want to follow the do-it-yourself approach, call the water damage professional as soon as possible to do the needful. Also, ensure to hire the best company for the work so that all your money will go in vain.