03 Feb Essential Things To Do After There Is Water Damage In Your Home
The most frustrating thing for homeowners is water damage.
In 2020, nearly 20% of homeowners’ insurance claims were due to water or ice damages. These dollar figures are burdensome but don’t consider the loss of irreplaceable items or antiques.
How serious is water damage to your house?
Homeowners can experience water damage from a burst or leaking pipe. This can cause serious damage to your appliances, home, and other property.
Even with minor water damage, mold growth can occur in your home. It is vital to seek help as soon as possible.
Water Damage Signs
It’s crucial to recognize signs and take immediate action to avoid water damage.
Swimming in Pools
Water damage can be identified if there is water in your home. This could be an indication of water damage.
Discolored or Warped spots
Water damage can often be hidden beneath many surfaces. You may also notice softening or discoloring areas in your home as signs of water damage.
Musty or Moldy Smell
Mold may be an unpleasant side effect to water damage. Identify the source of any musty, moldy, or mildewy smells immediately and get rid of it.
Things to consider when you prepare to address water damage
You need to assess the situation once you’ve noticed water damage.
The water content
Your house should have a water level between moderate and low.
You should not attempt to repair any damage that has been caused by floods or other natural disasters. Follow the advice of local disaster relief officials.
Water Source
Before you try to fix your water damage, it is important to identify the source.
- Clean water: Clean water is water that has been filtered from the rain or leaking water pipes. It does not contain any harmful bacteria.
- Gray Water: Gray water comes from dishwashers and washing machines. It might be slightly contaminated.
- Black water: Water that is black in color comes from either nearby water bodies or the sewers.
Gray water can be cleaned up easily with safety gear. Blackwater needs to be dealt with by a professional Long Beach Water Damage Restoration Company.
You should not be too certain about the water type that you are working with.
Grading of Damage
It is important to consider the severity of your water damage.
Flooding in an upper level can cause water damage to your ceiling and floor
If the flooding is severe, you should be aware that your HVAC and electrical systems could be damaged. Water conducts strongly and can cause electrocution.
It is possible to not repair damage to your home in some cases.
How to fix water damage: 5 steps
First, determine if it is possible to clean up the water damage.
Safety First
Safety should always come first when dealing with water damage. It may be necessary to hire an electrician to disconnect the electricity.
Wear protective clothing to prevent skin irritation when swimming in water.
Remove the water
It is also important to drain all water from the affected area. In extreme cases of flooding, you might need to rent water pumps.
Do not drain all of your basement’s water at once, if it has flooded. It can cause serious damage to your basement walls and floors if too much water is removed at once.
Clean out the Space
Mold can grow in as little as 24 hours. However, you might rent a larger dehumidifier.
Remove Infected Area
After drying your house, disinfect any items that were in direct contact of floodwater. It is possible that disinfecting them will not work to eradicate harmful bacteria and parasites.
What Can Be Salvaged
It is important to assess what items are salvageable once you have removed water damage. Water can cause permanent damage to certain items. You may have to give up your valuables and replace the insulation, drywall, or carpeting.
Don’t let water fool you.
Have a sump installed under your house by talking to a professional Long Beach Water Damage Restoration Company.