Water damage can be shocking and devastating. It often occurs when it’s least expected, and many homeowners find themselves panicking as they try to navigate the cleanup process. However, it’s important to know how to handle these emergency water damage situations so that further damage can be prevented. After all, it only takes about 24 hours for mold to start growing after a water damage incident.
In order to get the best results, homeowners should familiarize themselves with the actions to take during a water damage emergency. As a professional water damage restoration company, Disaster Recovery 247 Specialists recommends the following steps.
Protect Yourself and Your Family
The first priority during a water damage emergency should always be to ensure the safety of the people and pets in the home. If there is severe flooding, homeowners should seek shelter elsewhere. If they are able to remain in the home, it’s recommended that they avoid the wet areas unless they have protective gear. People should also avoid walking through water if the electricity is still on in the home.
Call an Emergency Water Damage Restoration Company
After the homeowner has ensured the safety of everyone living inside, they should make a call to a professional restoration company. The best crews for emergency water damage offer 24/7 services, so homeowners won’t have to wait for normal business hours to make the call. Instead, they can reach out right away–morning or night.
From there, the contractors can contact the homeowner’s insurance company and handle the claims process. They will even arrive on the scene right away to start documenting the damage.
Stop the Source of the Water Damage
If it is safe to do so, homeowners may want to stop the source of the water damage while they wait for the water damage crew to arrive. Otherwise, they can leave this step to the professionals as well. In either case, it’s important to find where the water is coming from as quickly as possible so that further damage can be mitigated.
Protect Your Appliances and Valuables
Once the flow of water has been stopped, homeowners or their restoration crew can start to move belongings. Experts can quickly and safely pack out household belongings to be stored in a secure facility off-site. If there is a dry place in the home, they can also just move the items to that room. The more things that can be protected from the water, the less homeowners will have to restore or replace.
Start the Water Damage Repair Process
Once the bulk of the household items have been removed, the contractors can finally get started on the demolition process if the job requires it. They may have to remove drywall, flooring, insulation, and other building materials that have become too saturated to recover.
Extract Excess Water and Dry Remaining Moisture
Next, the emergency water damage process should remove any of the remaining water from the house. If there is significant standing water, the crew can start with an extraction. Their sump pumps and wet/dry vacuums expedite this process. Excess moisture can be pulled from materials and the air through dehumidification and drying as well.
Identify & Treat Mold Growth
Even if the homeowners called for emergency water damage repairs right away, it’s still wise to check for signs of mold growth. Contractors can inspect the interior of the walls and under the flooring to see if there are any visible spores. They can also test the air quality to make sure that there are no spores in the air. If any mold is identified, the technicians can take care of that during the water damage restoration.
Make Repairs and Restore the Property
Once all mold and moisture have been removed, the contractors can start the repair process. When homeowners choose a professional water damage restoration company for this job, they don’t have to worry about hiring a separate crew for the reconstruction. Restoration companies are usually licensed and certified contractors who can completely repair and reconstruct damaged properties.
Complete a Final Inspection
The job isn’t finished until the crew verifies that there is no mold or water remaining in the home. They will continue to monitor moisture levels until the results indicate that their work is done.
Learn More About What to Do When Emergency Water Damage Occurs
Homeowners are encouraged to contact Disaster Recovery 247 Specialists right away to find out more about how to handle emergency water damage. The technicians can answer any questions over the phone, or they can respond to emergency calls at any time. Customers can also fill out their online form if they have less urgent requests.
