A mold outbreak, soggy flooring, chipped paint, leaky toilets, and water stains on the ceiling… These are some of the things that you will notice around your house when there’s water damage. But these are the signs of major water damage. These mean that the damage has already affected the structure of your house. It’s expensive, but the worst part is that it could have been prevented. What should you do when there’s water damage to your house?
First, call your homeowners insurance provider. You need to know if water damage is covered by your policy. This will help you determine how much money you’ll need to prepare for the cost of the repair and replacement. Once that is settled, you can finally calm down a bit as you try to manage the damage that has been done to your house.
Evacuate Your Family
Rouse up the family and ask them to evacuate the house. When there’s major water damage in the house, mold and mildew will grow rapidly, which will result in respiratory problems. Ask them to take their most important stuff such as money, jewelry, computers, and important documents out of the house. You never know when flooding could structurally damage your house and ruin your belongings.
Turn off the Valves
Turn off the valves of your water system. Turn off the electrical power, too. If there’s one major thing you should worry about during a water damage situation is the possibility of live electrical wire getting submerged in the water. As you wait for the water damage specialist, try to find the source of the water (if it’s not flooding) and turn it off. Some appliances, such as the washer and dishwashing machine, can cause flooding inside the house.
Move Essential Items to High Places
While waiting for the water damage specialist, try to move essential items to higher places such as on top of the cabinets and in your attic. Be wary about storing items in the basement because this is the first area of the house to be flooded. If there are valuable items in your basement, try to retrieve them to prevent further damage.
Avoid the Affected Area
There’s a high possibility that the affected area of your house will lead to microbial growth. Try to avoid these areas during the decontamination, cleaning, and restoration process. You would need special gear to access these areas but leave it to the professionals to do their jobs first. You’ll help them finish their work faster by staying clear of the affected areas.
Naturally, when water damage occurs, you will feel overwhelmed with the repair costs and the hassle. You want to get your life back to normal. As a homeowner, you can do several things to prevent water damage from your home. By checking the plumbing system regularly, cleaning the gutters, and installing point-of-leak water alarms, you can sleep soundly at night, knowing that you have these preventive measures in place.
