Worrying about water damage in your house?
Here’s what you need to know to prepare yourself.
Water damage is more common than you’d think, and requires immediate attention. Whether it is a storm you’re facing, a flood, an HVAC leak, weakened roof, leaky faucets, sewage backup or the like, the ensuing water damage will wreck your house if not dealt with in time. It is distressing and threatens your home’s value and safety. You need to address the issue immediately to prevent further damage to your property.
For any emergency that occurs at your house, office or commercial property, the cardinal rule is to act fast and immediately control the damage. If ignored, property damage would only get worse and be even tougher to address later. It is essential that you have plans in place for any sort of emergency that might occur.
Here are a few steps to keep in mind in case of any water-related disaster:
Protect Yourself
Water damage can cause serious damage to your safety and health. Contaminated water and mold growth are major health concerns that you need to protect yourself against. Here’s what you can do:
- Turn off the main electrical circuit breakers and unplugging devices. If you think it is unsafe to touch the electricity switches and you could receive shocks, don’t attempt it and wait for the professionals.
- If there is a danger of intense flooding, evacuate your house and the area until the authorities ask you to return.
- When coming back to your house, wear rubber gloves, protective clothing and waterproof boots to protect yourself from any contaminants in the water.
- Save your documents, electronics and any other items you consider valuable. But do not gather too much stuff that you struggle with carrying out, only the extremely important items.
Stop the Damage
To stop the damage from the root, you would need to identify the source of the water problem. Take these steps to assess the source:
- The most probable source of water damage could be a hot water tank leak, a burst pipe or a leaky faucet. You need to ensure you know where all the main valves are located and shut them off immediately.
- If there is a flood prediction, use preventive measures like ditching and sandbagging.
- For a leaky ceiling, hire an expert to assess the exact source of the leak.
- Water damage also brings about mold, so keep an eye out for any signs of mold like discolored ceilings or funky odors.
Dry and Restore Your Property
Dealing with the aftermath of water damage is difficult work and not something that can be managed by one individual, especially one who is inexperienced. The steps to restore your property are:
- Drying out the entire property within 24 hours to prevent mold growth.
- Figuring out what items are salvageable and what needs to be discarded.
- Removal of insulation, drywall, flooring, baseboards and carpeting to avoid mildew and mold growth.
- Using remote cameras, moisture detectors and hygrometers to ensure there isn’t water in places not easily visible.
Contact STOP Restoration of Portland for Water Damage Restoration
STOP Restoration of Portland is experienced in handling water damage and restoring your property to its original glory. Contact them now and let them do the rest.
