16 Jan Vital Things To Do After There Is Water Damage In Your Home
Water damage is one of the most frustrating things for homeowners. Depending on your homeowner’s insurance policy, this problem may be costly and time-consuming to resolve.
Nearly 20% of homeowners insurance claims arose from water or ice damage in 2020. The average damage in the United States was $11,650. The dollar amounts are a burden but they don’t take into account the loss of irreplaceable heirlooms or antiques in your home.
Here are a few water damage prevention tips from our Long Beach Water Damage Restoration Experts and how to identify it so you can protect your home.
How bad is water damage to a house?
Water damage can be a problem for homeowners, whether it’s a burst pipe, a leaking washer, or a flood in the basement. Water damage can quickly spread and cause damage to your home, appliances and everything else that is susceptible.
Mold can grow in your home even if there is only a little water damage. Mold can lead to long-term health issues for those who live in the home. Mold can grow quickly in homes with water damage. It is important to get help immediately.
Water Damage Signs
It is essential to identify signs and take immediate action to stop water damage. It is a mistake to ignore water damage and allow it to worsen. These are the most obvious signs of water damage that you should be aware.
Swimming in Pools
Water damage can be detected if water pools in your home. You can check to see if the puddle has returned if you remove it. This could be a sign of water damage. If water is accumulating under your refrigerator, it could be a sign of a leak.
Discolored or Warped Spots
Water damage can be hidden under many surfaces. You should be aware of a cracked ceiling, a cracking ceiling or tiles that have become warped or cracked. Softening and discoloring spots can also indicate water damage in your home.
Moldy or Musty Smell
Mold can be a very nasty side effect of water damage. Mold can cause additional damage to your property and make you or your family very sick. You should immediately identify the source of any moldy, musty, or mildewy odors and fix it.
Things to Consider when preparing to address water damage
It is important to evaluate the situation once you have noticed signs of water damage. Although you may feel tempted to solve the problem yourself, it might be best to hire professionals. These are the factors that will determine how you deal with water damage at your home.
The Water Content
You should be able manage a moderate to small amount of water in your house on your own. If your basement floods or the water level is high, you will need to call a professional.
If you are in an area that has been affected by a flood or natural catastrophe, do not attempt to repair the damage yourself. This one is best left to professionals. Follow the instructions of local disaster relief authorities.
Source of Water
You must first determine the source of your water damage before you attempt to repair it yourself. There are three types of water that you need to address if you have flooding issues in your home.
- Clear water: Clear water is usually from rain or leaking pipes and doesn’t contain any harmful bacteria.
- Gray Water: Gray water is obtained from sources such as dishwashers and washing machines. It may be slightly contaminated.
- Black water: Black water is either from nearby water bodies or from the sewers. This water can contain infectious organisms or health hazards, and should be treated by a professional Long Beach Water Damage Restoration Company.
Gray water and clean water can be cleaned up easily if you use safety gear and take all the precautions. To deal with blackwater, however, you will need to hire a professional Long Beach Water Damage Restoration Company.
It’s best not to be too sure about the water type you are dealing with and to call a professional.
Grad of Damage
You should also consider the level of damage that you are experiencing. The homeowner can usually handle minor water damage. However, in some cases the water damage may be too severe to manage on your own.
Flooding on an upper level of your home can cause water damage to the ceiling and floor. This can lead to dangerous situations that are often beyond the reach of the average homeowner.
You should be aware of the possible damage to your HVAC and electrical systems if the flooding is severe. It’s very likely that any electrical equipment will be damaged if it is submerged in water. Submerged outlets and lines can also be dangerous because water is a strong conductor, which could cause electrocution.
You may not be able to repair the damage done to your home in many cases.
Fixing water damage: 5 steps to clean up water damage
The first thing to do if you have water damage is to determine if you are able to handle the cleanup on your own or rely on a professional. Here are five steps to help you repair water damage.
Safety First
Safety should always be your top priority when dealing with water damage. Turn off all water and electrical outlets in your home. You may need to hire a licensed electrician to disconnect the electricity from your home.
To prevent your skin from getting irritated, you should wear protective clothing if you are going to be swimming in the water. Although the water might appear clean, you can’t be certain it hasn’t been contaminated.
Take out the water
It’s also important to drain any water that has accumulated in the affected area. You may be able use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of small amounts of water. You may need to rent water pumps if you have experienced severe flooding.
You shouldn’t drain all the water from your basement at once if it is flooded. Pump out one-third of the water each day. You can damage your basement walls and floors by removing too much water at once.
Dry out the Space
Mold can grow within 24 hours so it is important to dry the area quickly. Fans can be used if there is little water damage. If the damage is more severe, fans can be used. However, you might rent a larger dehumidifier.
Cleanse the Area Infected
After drying out your home, disinfect everything that was in direct contact with floodwater. Discard any items that have come in contact with sewage, especially carpet and rugs. This is because disinfecting them might not be effective at eliminating harmful bacteria and parasites.
Find out What Can Be Salvaged
After you have cleaned up water damage, it is time to assess which items can be salvaged. You may discover that not all of your belongings are salvageable after a flood. Water can permanently cause damage to certain items so you might have to part ways with your valuables. It is also necessary to replace damaged insulation, drywall, or carpeting.
Don’t be surprised by water.
Install a sump pump under your home by talking to a professional Long Beach Water Damage Restoration Company.