Water damages are the nightmare of a house owner. It might be faster and long-range regardless of it being a broken pipeline, a storm flood or a leakage tool. Despite the fact that professional groups of employees are ready to prepare the best places of the water damage restoration, you can still do several things that can immediately prevent the total impact of the above problem to your establishment and also guard it against future damages. In fact, in the specified article, we will give you an opportunity to go through a couple of steps that must be taken during the initial crucial moments after being affected by water damages. Immediate reaction will also help to rule out further destruction, potential risks to health and undesired expenses.
Step 1: Safety is Your Main Priority
Security should always be your priority and then you move on to do something. Water and electricity is a bad combination and flood water could contain bacteria or chemical or garbage.
What can be done here:
- Flip the circuit on the breaker panel off, but only, when it is safe. Never ever walk through standing water in case there is any electricity.
- Empty the complex in case the flood is high or there are high probabilities of the building collapsing.
- Avoid using impure water particularly the one in the sewer back up or water storage. It can contain harmful bacteria and it must be domesticated by specialists. After you are conscious you are not sure whether the place you are living is safe, then make emergency professionals consider.
Step 2: Meddle with water source
The second one is to locate and (ideally) shut down the water supply.
Switch off the main water valve when the cause of the problem is either a burst pipe, or drain problem.
In case of the external cause (i.a. stormy water or the leakage on roof), it is preferable to prevent the consequence of the phenomenon by either shutting the door or placing a bucket or a torp there. Should the status of the water source be physically ill, it should not be possible to manually turn off the status.
Call a plumber: It is supposed to be utilized in order to minimize the spread of destruction in the shortest time possible.
Step 3: Documentation of damage Analyzing and documenting damage
Take pictures or videos of damaged places before you start cleaning and relocating objects. Insurance claims should have documentation and should be sent to your emergency water damage restoration team so that their experts would be able to analyze the damage amount.
- Take photos of all the rooms in the facility where there are damages, each floor, each furniture and personal accessories.
- Take panorama shots and close ups.
- Throw in signs of seeing i.e. warping of timber or damp carpets or peeling paint.
These records will aid you to make your claim and your process to be refunded by your insurance provider will be quick.
Step 4: Get rid of excess water (other than that which is safe)
Once the documentation is completed and you are assured that the place is safe then you can start dewatering the standing water to prevent the further saturation and the formation of moulds. To be used equipment:
- Wet/drought vacuum
- Mops and bucket
- Towel and cloth
Not to use the household space or electric appliances on the wet places. This is just so that the damage by the first instance might be restricted – and as soon as the professionals of repairing water damage in emergency situation arrive, they are to be sopped up and dried completely
Step 5: Selling commodities of value
Immediately remove unannounced or lightly spoiled items in a dry safe section:
Remove the furniture on the wet floor and use aluminum foil wrappings or pieces of wood to prevent the blur under the feet.
Take all the area rugs away since you can ruin what is under it.
Carry valuable documents, electronics and treasures so that they do not suffer the risk.
Put the temporarily sensitive items in the plastic cans or waterproof boxes in case they are available.
Step 6: Developing ventilation at the given area
Wait to see the restoration team come and till then ventilate the area and increase airflow and reduce humidity:
- Keep the windows and doors open (allowing weather).
- Send wind using fans (once more assuming it is safe and not wet).
- Dehumidifiers can help in the eradication of moisture content in the air and prevention of mould growth.
The water should also be desiccated – water can start growing 24-48 hours after they get systematically exposed to the water.
Step 7: Contact your medical insurance
Report the case of water damage to an insurance firm as quickly as possible.
- Send your report and its details regarding the cause and the scope.
- The other insurers can advise or demand to have certified supplier of emergency water damage restoration processes to repair.
Take notes of all the communications to enable you to refer to them.
Step 8: Wait professional arrival
The expert will handle all the emergency processes of the water damage restoration when he or she gets to the scene. This has normally included:
- Water Removal
- Dry and exclusion
- Sanitation/hygiene
- Mould removal or mould bins
- Rebuilding and repairing structure
Resist the assertion that you are supposed to make costly repair jobs on your own. To secure your property decently and safely, tools and knowledge can be at the disposal of the trained technicians.
Final thoughts
Water damages can be a bitter experience, however, swift and well-reasoned intervention before authorities get there can result in an enormous reduction in the long-term effect. The contrast is between coming safely on the ground with minimum damage and preservation of your personal belongings and on the other hand there is a contrast of life and death. Just in case, you find yourself in such a situation, the following steps can be useful and at this point, you are advised to contact an emergency water exportation as early as possible. The faster you are, the better are your chances of a high speed and cost -efficient recovery.