Emergency Water Damage Repair
Water damage can be quite a common occurrence. Statistics will tell you that about 40% of homeowners face water damage on their property in some form or another. It is, therefore, quite important to acquaint yourself with the essential knowledge of emergency water damage repair. The steps you have to take might vary slightly depending on the nature and type of water damage; however, we have put together the basics of emergency water damage repair below.
Safety First
Start off by conducting a thorough safety assessment. Here, it is important to remember that not every condition is the same. For example, a pipe burst may be not pose as dangerous a situation as a seasonal flood that brings with it bacteria and toxic waste etc that you don’t want to be exposed to. Besides, water damage such as floods can weaken the structure of the buildings, so do ensure that the ceilings are not sagging before you decide to begin with any restoration efforts.
Locating the Source of Water
Locating the source of water damage is crucial to curtail further damage to your property. Shutting down the main water valve helps if it’s a burst pipe or an overflowing kitchen or a clogged bathroom. However, in any case, if you are not able to identify the source by yourself, you should wait for professional help to arrive.
Shut Down the Power Supply
You should be quick to shut off the power supply to the affected area and mitigate the risk of any further damage. If the damaged area has electrical appliances in it, shutting off the electric supply to them will help immensely and prevent them from damage. Furthermore, it will eliminate any safety hazard for you while you’re knew deep in the water trying to remove your favorite TV from harm’s way.
Move Your Stuff
You should be quick to first remove the rugs and carpets as the water begins to seep into your living area, and take them outside to dry. Next comes the furniture. The pieces of furniture that are too heavy to be moved around can be placed on blocks so they are out of harm’s way. If you are not able to do this by yourself, you will have to seek professional help quickly.
Remove the Water
The next logical step is the water removal. If the affected area is not that large, the task can be achieved using a basic vacuum cleaner designed for the purpose. However, if the damaged area is over 100 square feet, consider hiring professional services for water damage restoration.
Let the Affected Area Get Some Air
Once you’re done moving your furniture around, saving your appliances, and removing as much water as possible, you’ll notice that there are still traces of water in the corners. Besides, the wall is probably still wet. Since you can’t leave it like that and run the risk of inviting mold, it’s advised that you get the fans rolling. Place your box fans and dehumidifiers across the affected area and open all the windows to let the sun and air get through before professionals arrive and take it from there with specialized equipment.
It is always useful to know what to do in case of emergency. As a home owner as well as a Texan, it is your responsibility to protect and safeguard your house from water damage and other similar issues. The aforementioned guide equips you with the necessary knowledge to do just that. However, if you ever happen to face a water damage scenario in Fort Worth, Texas, STOP is just a call away. Call 682.703.0213 and acquire our professional water damage restoration services in no time.
