It happens to all of us: you are doing the kitchen dishes when something suddenly gets your attention for just one minute, and you return to find an overflowing sink with the kitchen floor covered in water. As you turn off the tap, the realization that your chore time has multiplied dawns on you. But have you ever wondered what would have happened if you had left it for longer -say an entire day- or you went on vacation when some water supply line broke and came back to your house turned into a knockoff SeaWorld? I exaggerate, of course, but realistically speaking, what can a homeowner do when the damage provoked by water is extensive?
Thankfully, with close to 45 years of combined experience between our partners and hundreds of satisfied customers, we at Restore-It have the knowledge and the evidence (we are certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification-IICRC) that proves we are ready to deal with any water damage.
In this article, we will cover the basics of what you can do to avoid worsening the problem and how to prepare everything for a restoration company to help you get your life back to how it was right before disaster struck.
So there is water damage in my home. Now what?
If you are a homeowner who just found out your house completely flooded, here is a list of key steps you can take to improve the situation vastly:
- Turn off the power: Carefully assess if there is any danger of any electrical components or exposed wires interacting with the water. If you are afraid there might be, you should turn off the electricity by locating the electrical breaker box. You will find it in a utility room or a basement. Confirm these areas are not inundated and then proceed. Before turning off the main circuit or fuse, switch all the individual circuit breakers to the "off" position. If you are unsure how to do this, contact a licensed electrician. However, do not go in if your breaker box is soaked or in a flooded basement; otherwise, you will expose yourself to electrocution. If that’s the case, call your electric utility so they can shut off the power at the meter.
Make sure to turn off all the individual circuit breakers before turning off the main fuse
- Turn off the water: Once the coast is clear, you must also turn off the main water valve. The shut-off valve should be conveniently situated near your home's water meter if you live in a sunnier area. However, if you live in a cooler region, you will likely find the shut-off valve in the basement, next to the water heater, or set into a wall. Simply turn the handle clockwise until the valve is fully closed to turn off the water in the house. Following this step is vital to avoid more damage to your belongings, and you should do it immediately after the first step but remember to be mindful of slips and falls.
- Find the source of the leak: Check where the water came from. Was it from an overflowing sink in the kitchen? Or from a broken sewage pipe? Or perhaps a broken but clean supply line? Finding out will help you determine whether the flood is from "clean water," "gray water," or "black water.” If you have trouble repairing the damaged pipe (assuming there is one), call a plumber immediately at this point.
- Do not open your windows or doors: As you just experienced water damage, it's more than likely that some building materials, cabinetry, or furniture are either wet or, at the very least, humid. It's important not to let the moisture levels grow further, dragging along the drying process and possibly even creating the opportunity for bacterial or black mold growth. Therefore, we recommend not opening the windows or doors to avoid more humid air entering the house. We recommend setting your home's temperature between 70 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit to further control the environment.
- Immediately call a water restoration company: While it is important to contact your insurance company to let them know about the damages, sometimes their response time can be very long, and the longer you wait, the more damage the water can cause to your home and your belongings. In our own experience, we had cases where we hadn't seen an insurance adjustor until after the restoration job was complete. If the clients had waited for their insurance company, maybe even the home's structural components could have been damaged, and many of their belongings become unsalvagable. Once you have contacted a reputable water restoration company, ask for their information for insurance purposes, and set a date, you can proceed to the next step.
- Notify your insurance company: It is essential to get a claim number so your insurance provider knows there is water damage in your home and can take care of the billing process, depending on your coverage.
- Tell the insurance company who you are working with: When you call them, make sure to have the restoration company's information at hand and rely on it.
- Get all your most important personal belongings in a safe place: Ensuring all your most precious possessions are in good hands will give you peace of mind as the technicians will need complete access to your house to begin the mitigation, remediation, and (if necessary) the restoration process.
Congratulations! You have taken all the important steps to improve the situation and ensure your safety and your most valuable personal property. With this, the professional cleanup process can finally begin (spoilers: it involves a lot of drying). This process can be separated into three key actions: mitigation (which you have contributed to by following these steps), remediation (which involves cleaning, sanitation, and removal of contaminated or damaged material), and restoration (which will depend on how big the damage was).
Now that you know the first 8 steps you need to take, your next course of action is to call us directly at 870-918-0041, where Marcus, Tammy, or Chrystal will ensure they can send an emergency service technician right away to get you out of standing water!
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