4 Steps to Take Immediately After Water Damage

9/23/2022 (Permalink)

Water was left unattended on the kitchen floor.

In the US, around 14,000 homes and businesses experience water damage every day. While this problem is common, it can be extremely disruptive and cause significant problems. In the worst-case scenario, families have to vacate their home for several days or weeks while it is being restored by a water damage restoration company. Today, we'll have a closer look at what to do immediately after a flood or leak in Saunders County.

4 Steps to Take Immediately After Water Damage 

1. Stop the Cause of the Damage 

The first thing you should do is to make sure your family is safe. If necessary, get everyone out of the building and alert the neighbors to the problem. Then, you will have to identify the source of the leak and stop the water from flowing. If the damage was caused by a faulty household device, you should unplug it or switch it off immediately.

In some cases, the water supply to your property might have to be turned off. If the house is safe to enter at this point, you could try to save some of your possessions. However, you should always make sure there is no risk involved when reentering the property. Wear rubber gloves, boots, and protective clothing. Try to rescue the most important items, such as documents and electronic equipment, first.

2. Call a Saunders County Water Damage Restoration Company

Most types of water damage can't be addressed by the residents on their own. Instead, they should call a professional restoration company that has the necessary drying tools and techniques to extract water efficiently and detect hidden moisture. The faster you act, the less likely your building will suffer from long-term water damage.

To make sure you get a good result, you should always call a highly reputable company. Check the reviews to check that other people have had a good experience. You should also look for someone who offers a 24-hour service, only employs highly trained water damage specialists, and is able to respond quickly to your request.

3. Help the Restoration Company Assess and Remove the Damage

A good restoration company will help you assess the situation and then follow a standard process, which might include extracting all the water, drying and dehumidifying the rooms, cleaning up the damage, repairing your structures, and restoring the property to its former condition. To facilitate the work, you should follow all instructions and provide as much information about the property and the incident as possible.

4. Call Your Insurance Company  

Depending on the cause of the leak and the type of damage, your homeowners' insurance policy might cover the cost of getting your property restored and your valuable items replaced. Once you and your family are safe and the water restoration company has started drying out your property, you should get in touch with your insurance company to find out how you can make a claim.

After a flood or a leak, residents should first make sure that everyone is safe and, if necessary, stop the water from flowing. Then, they should get in touch with a damage restoration company. Restoration professionals can help identify the issue, remove the water, and repair the damaged structures, so the home is once again inhabitable. Often, their services are covered by insurance. Call SERVPRO of Omaha West to find out more.