Recovering from flood damage is one of the most expensive undertakings a homeowner could ever deal with. In fact, just an inch of interior water depth can cost a home $23,635!
The worst part is that most insurance policies don’t cover flood damage.
Even water damage caused by leaky pipes, roofs and plumbing systems can get really expensive especially if it’s not dealt with immediately.
Water penetrates through various kinds of surfaces, from wood to concrete. They could cause any home structure to weaken, rot and harbor mold.
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Step by Step Restoration Guide
Every homeowner should be prepared for the possibility of water damage. While in most cases, you will require the assistance of professional restoration specialists, if there’s widespread flooding in your area, help may not come easily.
Thus, it pays to know about the step-by-step process in eliminating water damage in your property.
Extract water out of your home.
You will need a sump pump to extract water from your home interior. This equipment can either be rented or purchased.
If you live in a flood-prone area, investing in a sump pump is a smart decision. If the water level is less than an inch deep, it can be removed using a dry-wet vacuum or a shop-vac.
It works like a sump pump but is smaller and more portable.
Turn off electrical switches.
Flooding does not only destroy properties. It can also destroy lives. As a security measure, turn off electrical and gas switches around your home. Call certified electricians to determine any damage and seek their advice before restoring power in your home.
Remove furniture and furnishings.
Water can destroy your high-value possessions like your furniture, appliances, décor, and many more.
Carpets may be the least thing you could save during flooding or leaks. In most cases, water damage in carpets can be saved using some special drying equipment.
Take all furniture and furnishings outdoors to be examined, cleaned and if needed, discarded.
Clean it up.
Once the water has been extracted, the next tedious task is going to be the cleanup. Your walls, floors, basement and other surfaces will likely need professional cleanup services as cleaning water damage would also include sanitizing treatments and odor removal.
Your goal is to take all wet items out of your home and assess whether they are still worth saving.
Items and surfaces that are not properly cleaned, sanitized and dried can harbor mold and mildew which could cause more damage to your home, let alone their health hazards.
Get rid of moisture.
Just because everything seems dry doesn’t mean you’re good to go. Moisture circulating within your home is a major cause of mold too.
You may need to use floor drying fans and dehumidifiers throughout the cleanup and restoration process to remove water retained by your home materials and eliminate moisture from hard-to-reach areas.
Floor drying fans promote efficient air flow inside your home. It basically moves air across walls, carpets, and furniture to eliminate excess moisture while dehumidifiers help prevent further water damage like swelling of floors and walls.
Contact your home insurance provider.
Your home will most likely need to undergo repairs. Even the cleanup and drying process can be expensive.
Don’t forget to document water damage in your home, take photos, and keep all receipts of any services you obtained.
Get a thorough property inspection.
You will not know whether your home needs minor or major restoration work.
The best thing to do is to call a professional water damage inspector to conduct a thorough examination of your home to have a clear idea of what needs to be repaired, replaced or rebuilt.
Lastly, take steps to flood and leak-proof your home. This involves using materials and practices that prevent or minimize water damage.
It’s the best and least expensive way to protect your home against damaging flood and leaks.