Interior water damage can happen to anyone. Excessive rainfall, broken pipes, or a leaky roof can cause water to seep into a building. Even melting snow can cause water to enter a home or business.
If you suddenly find yourself dealing with soggy floors and wet belongings, do you know what steps to take to minimize the potential damage?
While calling a water damage restoration Aurora, CO specialist is a start. There are a few other things you can do while you’re waiting for the professionals to arrive.
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What You Can Do When You Have Water Damage
When dealing with water damage, your first instinct may be to panic. Although this is a natural response, it won’t help the situation. So, take a deep breath, grab a pair of waterproof shoes, and start resolving the problem.
Find the Water Source
You’ll want to find out where the water is coming from. This way, you may be able to turn it off before the situation gets worse. For example, if you have a leaky pipe under the sink, you can shut the water off at the source.
Locating water sources is also a good idea for health reasons. While water from your kitchen pipes will create a mess, at least you’re not worrying about potentially harmful bacteria. This can be a concern if a backed-up sewer line causes water damage.
If your roof is leaking, there’s nothing to shut off. The same also applies if water is coming in underneath your door. However, you can use buckets or towels depending on the water source to try and minimize additional damage. Knowing where the water is coming from can make it easier to describe your problem to the professionals.
Turn Off the Electricity
If you’re not sure where your breaker box is, now’s a good time to find it. Anytime you have interior water damage you should shut off the power to the property. Don’t worry, this is something you can usually tackle without help, just flip the main breaker. Even if your water damage is minimal and the moisture doesn’t reach any electrical outlets, shutting off the power is still a good idea as a precautionary measure.
Some circuit boxes are located in the basements, which is actually pretty common in Aurora, Colorado homes. If you’re wading through water to reach the breaker box, leave the power on. Even flipping the main breaker can result in electrocution if you’re also standing in water. Wait for the professionals to get there. They have the necessary gear to safely shut off the power.
Talk to Your Insurance Provider
Yes, this is a phone call no one really likes making. Letting your insurance provider know you’re getting ready to file a claim is never fun. However, you pay your property insurance premiums for a reason, it’s to ensure you have coverage for disasters like water damage.
Most property insurance plans will cover damages caused by a leaky roof or busted water pipe. However, if the water damage is caused by flooding you may be out of luck. Most property insurance providers don’t cover natural disasters. So, if excessive snow melt is the reason water is pouring in underneath your doors, you may be responsible for all of the clean-up and repair costs.
Along with starting the often lengthy claims process, there’s another reason to contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Your insurance provider may be able to recommend a qualified water damage restoration specialist.
Some insurance companies also prefer working with service providers in their networks. Similar to how health insurance works, some property owner policies also prefer when you hire professionals they’re familiar with.
You may also want to ask your insurance provider for recommendations for an experienced mold remediation specialist. Yes, along with a soggy interior, you may also need to worry about mold and mildew growth.
Start Sorting Your Belongings
Unfortunately, water damage typically means you have wet and soggy belongings, which can include anything from your carpets to clothing, electronics, and furniture. Go ahead and start carrying out your wet items.
Don’t worry about any appliances that may have gotten wet. Leave those in place and wait for a professional to come and inspect the damage. You may be surprised to learn that some appliances can withstand a little dampness without suffering any damage.
When it comes to items like carpeting and rugs, there’s a good chance they’re going to end up in the trash. Usually, these items are beyond repair after being submerged in water. If your water damage is caused by a sewer line, you probably don’t want to bring it back inside. The bacteria in the water can be a health hazard and it’s not easy getting rugs and carpets clean.
Call a Water Damage Restoration Specialist
Hopefully, your insurance company will provide you with some recommendations. If not, don’t worry, it’s not hard finding a qualified service. However, before you hire anyone it’s a good idea to do your homework.
Make sure the water damage restoration service is certified to clean up gray and black water. This refers to water that may contain harmful bacteria. There’s a process the service should use to ensure the building is safe for use after experiencing water damage.
Don’t forget to read consumer reviews. You can learn a lot about a company based on its reviews. You may even want to ask for referrals just to be sure the water damage restoration business has the experience you need.
You Can Recover After Experiencing Interior Water Damage
If it happens to you, it can seem like a disaster. Unfortunately, sometimes interior water damage does classify as a disaster. However, if you take the right steps, it’s possible to recover after a flooding problem.
Don’t forget to try and stop the water from coming in and turn off the power. With help from an experienced water damage restoration service, you and your property can recover.
