The worst nightmare of a home owner is water damage. It can spread fast and far whether brought about by a busted pipe, flooding due to the storm or a leaking appliance. Although in a case of emergency water damage restoration, the affected area should be attended to by professional teams, swift services are there are a couple of things that can be done by the homeowner within a short time to minimize overall damage and prevent further damages to their property. Through which, in this piece of writing, we shall show you some of the necessary things, required to be done in these moments, critical to water damage. Prompt action should be taken in order to limit the destruction, health hazards, and repairs that could be costly.
Step 1: Safety is your priority
Be concerned about security first and then you carry on to do something. Water and electricity do not mix well and there may be some bacteria or chemicals or garbage in flood water.
What here may be done:
- Turn the breaker panel off, but only, when it is safe. Never, ever walk across any standing water in case there is any electricity in the area.
- Evacuate the building in case the flood is so strong or in the event there is high chances that the building might collapse.
- They should not be using impure water especially that in the sewer back up or in the water storage. It may be harmful bacteria and it has to be tamed by experts. Once you become aware that you are not safe in the location your living in, make emergency professionals take it into consideration.
Step 2: Get in the way of water source
Turn of the main water valve when the cause of the problem is burst pipe or a drain problem.
When in the presence of external cause (i.a. stormy water or the leakage on roof) it is better to avoid the outcome of the phenomenon by closing the door or using a bucket or a torp. In the case of the water source having a physically ill status, the source should not be capable of turning off the status manually.
Engage a plumber: It is not meant to lie dormant and as soon as it is available, it should be used to contain the wreckages within the shortest periods ever.
Step 3: Documentation of damage Analyzing and documenting damage
When you are going to clean up and move items, take photos or videos of the destroyed locations. The insurance claims must be documented and be forwarded to your emergency water damage restoration team to the effect that the experts in your team could be able to analyze the amount of damage.
- Make photos of all rooms of facility which are full of damages, all floors, all pieces of furniture as well as and personal accessories.
- Take panorama and close up shots.
- Add an indication of sight i.e. warping in the timber or wet carpets or paint peeling.
Such documents will be useful to you to submit your claim so that your procedure to get your money back by your insurance provider will be fast.
Step 4: eliminate unessential water (except safe one)
Then after documentation you could start pumping out of the water that had already accumulated in the place so that the place does not get further saturated and the moulds do not grow. Second hand equipment:
- Wet/ drought vacuum
- Mops and bucket
- Towel and cloth
To avoid using the household space or electric appliances on the wet places. it is simply to so that the obtain by the initial case can be confined – and when professionals of water damage repair in an emergency situation can be arrived, they will have to be sopped up and dry thoroughly
Step 5: Sale of valuables commodities
Take out unannounced or lightly damaged items in a dry safe area at once:
- Get rid of the furniture in the wet floor and take an aluminum foil wrappings or woods to get rid of the blur under the feet.
- Remove all the area rugs as you have the possibility of destroying what is beneath it.
- Take important papers, computer and other treasures with you so that they are not exposed to this danger.
Use the plastic cans or the waterproof boxes in case you have them and place the temporarily sensitive items in them.
Step 6: The formulation of ventilation of the specified area
Wait until the restoration team arrives and in the meantime aerate the place and circulate air and decrease humidity:
- Open the windows and the doors (with weather).
- Blow with the fans (presuming once more that it is secure and also not damp).
- Dehumidifiers will be useful in the elimination of moisture in the air and moulding.
The water is also supposed to be desiccated – they may begin growing within 24-48 hours when they are exposed systematically to the water.
Step 7: Contact your Medical Insurance.
Report the issue of water damage to an insurance company as soon as possible.
- Write back your report and its details of the cause, and of the scope.
- The other insurers can advise or demand to have certified suppliers of emergency water damage restoration in Melbourne processes to repair.
Write down everything that is communicated to you so that you can be able to make a reference.
Final thoughts
Damages caused by water may be a sour affair but quick and well thought intervention before the authorities arrive may lead to a tremendous shrinkage of the long-term impact. There is contrast of coming safely on the ground with minimal damage and preservation of your personal belongings and on the other hand there is a contrast of life and death.