When contained in the right places, water is harmless. But when water gets into places it’s not supposed to be, especially in and around your home, it can do some serious damage. If you have experienced anything like a leaking appliance or faucet, sewage backup, broken pipes, or flooded basement, you know what we mean.
One of the hardest parts about dealing with water damage is the urgency. There is little time to think and you must act quickly before the damage spreads, grows mold, and creates an even bigger hazard.
For this reason, let us do the thinking for you. Below we have assembled your 5-step checklist to run through in the event of water damage to your home. One of the key takeaways is to call in the pros in water damage restoration near Springfield Ohio. Our team at Reliant Restoration is ready and waiting to help you take action against any and all water damage.
1. Call Your Insurance Company
Your home insurance coverage is going to vary based on your individual policy but in the case of serious damage, it will be worth getting an adjuster out to assess the damage. Most water damage is covered in a typical home insurance policy, other than flooding. Oftentimes if you live in an area prone to flooding you will have to purchase separate flood insurance but talk with your insurance agent to be sure.
It can be helpful when dealing with insurance companies to document as much as possible. Write down the value of any damaged items and take as many pictures as possible throughout the entire process.
2. Ensure Safety
Ultimately following any kind of major event causing water damage you want to ensure the safety of your family or anyone else entering your home. A few steps of precaution you can take include the following:
Turn off the power- Electricity and water don’t mix. It is best to turn off the electricity when faced with flooding and water damage. If doing so requires you to stand in water it may be best to call an electrician.
Wear Protective Gear- Be sure to wear protective clothing–such as rubber boots and gloves–when you re-enter your home. This will protect you from injuries that can get bacteria-filled water in them.
Protect Your Valuables- You must act fast to stop all your belongings from becoming totally waterlogged. Remove or elevate any affected furniture. Clear out rugs, and any smaller items that can easily be moved.
3. Call Water Damage Restoration Experts ASAP
Before starting the process of water damage removal in a flooded home, be sure to document all of the damage first. This will help with any future insurance claims you make.
If possible, water damage restoration in Springfield, Ohio should start 24-48 hours after you’ve been cleared to re-enter your home. In many situations, the damage is too extensive for you to risk a DIY job. Get help from Reliant Restoration to stay safe and ensure the water damage removal process is done correctly.
4. Lookout for Mold
Mold can begin developing after the first 24 hours of a flood, and once it has started growing it can be difficult to remove. The quicker you remove items from the water and begin drying them, the less likely they are to be lost to mold.
If it gets bad, you’ll often have to completely remove the affected areas. It’s always best to err on the side of caution and have a professional assess the situation.
5. Move Back into Your Restored Home
Once you have the go-ahead from your insurance company, your restoration/construction company, and your local government(in the case of natural disasters), it’s time to move back into your clean, dry, mold-free home!
At Reliant Restorations it is our goal to have homeowners back in their homes as soon as possible. Our teams do the job with speed and precision to ensure your home is good as new and safe for your family when you get to move back in!