Dealing with water damage after a flood in your house can be an overwhelming task.
Water damage whether it’s minimal mildew or full-on flooding can be a costly fix. There are many places mold can hide in the home which could be damaging over time. Leaks can result in structural damage to your home and there are associated health risks. The best thing is to take a proactive approach and looks for signs of water damage. Always contact professional restoration services to ensure your home is properly repaired.
5 Steps to Dealing with Water Damage in the Aftermath of a Flood
Here are a few steps you can take when dealing with water damage in your home.
1 – Safety first
There are health risks of hidden water damage so if you suspect you have an issue deal with it straight away. Remove any valuables that may be affected and switch off the power in extreme cases. You should wear protective equipment when dealing with water damage such as gloves and masks. There could be plenty of causes of water damage so have your property inspected immediately to get to the root of the problem.
2 – Contact your insurance provider
Contact your provider to find out if your homeowner insurance covers water damage. This will help you budget for any restoration costs. It depends on the type of policy you have and your property. Often if water damage is caused by a leak this will affect your bills as well. An unusually high water bill is typically the result of a leak so it might be a good idea to contact your local authority as well to let them know.
3 – Hire professional restoration services
Enlist the help of professionals to restore any damage. You can hire restoration services who are experts in residential water damage. They will be able to bring your home back to normal quickly. If you’re renovating an old property, it’s advisable to have it professionally inspected if you suspect any water damage. Clear signs are patches of mold, mildew, or moisture.
4 – Put preventative measures in place
Put measures in place such as basement humidity prevention to avoid the problem in the future. Your home may be more susceptible to the build-up mold due to the climate or structure. It’s important to stay on top of this. If you live in an area that’s a high risk of flood then you need preventative measures to protect your home. Flood-proofing your home will help to give you peace of mind.
5 – Check for mold and mildew
Keep inspecting your home for mold and mildew, especially in the hidden places. If you have a leak then mold may develop over time. There are treatments you can have done to the walls if you catch it early enough. This will prevent the mold from spreading to your belongings. Whether the water damage is internal, or the result of a flood, the sooner you deal with it, the better. This will minimize the costs of repairs and you can restore your property to as good as new. Checking for water damage or a build-up of moisture should be part of your routine maintenance.
The Takeaway: Dealing with Water Damage is Best Left to the Professionals
Coping with the upheaval of a flood will test your patience and feel stressed. Leave dealing with water damage to the professionals, and take care of yourself and your family.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and a sweet toy fox terrier. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
This blog celebrates all things home.
