Home Water Damage

Water damage can have a devastating toll on your home. It is one of the leading causes of property damage and loss. It can cause black mold and drywall rot, and also wreak havoc on the structural foundation of your home. Water damage is also a financial burden, but preventative measures can help soften the blow if you come across this crisis. This article will discuss strategies for home water damage restoration and how to prevent water damage in your home.

Strategies for Recovery

It’s easy to feel helpless when dealing with household water damage, whether it’s the result of a plumbing issue, a weather system that brings heavy rains, or excessive melting snow as winter thaws. Here are some recovery strategies you can utilize to get your home back in order.

Safety First

The first thing you need to worry about is the safety of you and your family. Protecting the lives of your loved ones outweighs any damage to your belongings.

1. If there are pools of standing water, switch off the electric power to the flooded area or the entire house. Electricity and water do not mix, and the results are deadly.
2. Close the main water inlet valve to prevent any possibility of contaminating the water system of your home.
3. In instances where there is large flooding, you may also need to turn off the gas supply.
4. Throw out any damaged food to prevent accidental food poisoning from eating contaminated food.
5. Only wade through flood water if you have the proper protection, like sturdy, waterproof boots. There may be sharp objects underneath the murky water.

Dry Your House

The next thing you’ll need to do is remove the excess moisture in your home. This will prevent mold and rotting.

1. Wait until the floods dissipate if there is heavy flooding before you start drying out your house.
2. Find the lowest part of the flooded floor and use electric, gas, or hand pumps to remove stagnant water. Use caution with electric pumps to avoid electric shock. Dump the excess water in the backyard, a sewage system, or a tanker truck if you have access to one.
3. Open windows and doors to let dry air circulate within your home. If the electric system is safe to run, utilize electric fans or the heating system to help dry your house.

Pick Up Debris

The excess water is messy and dirty. Leaves, sediment, tree branches, and even garbage may often be carried into your home from the outside. may be Clear as much debris as possible from the damaged area. This will help reveal the extent of the water damage to your home.

1. Determine anything salvageable and store it in a separate dry room, or away from the home, if possible.
2. Throw out anything severely damaged, or hold onto it for any potential insurance purposes.

Assess the Home Water Damage

Now that everything is mostly dry and cleared, you can assess the scope of damage to the area.

1. Examine the area for damage or mold located on the floor, walls, and plumbing system.
2. If the damage is excessive, or you are overwhelmed, you can call an inspector to examine the property.
3. Find out what needs to be done, what it will cost to fix, and how much time it will take.

Call the Insurance Company

Once you have a detailed evaluation of the damage to your area or home, the next step is to call your insurance company to determine how much damage they will cover. A claims adjuster will most likely schedule a visit to your property. They will document the steps you have taken so far and come up with a valuation of damages. Depending on your coverage, the insurance company may end up covering a large portion of the repair and restoration costs.

If any other insured valuables suffered damage from the flood water, such as your car, you’ll have to contact that insurance company and potentially repeat the process above.

Begin Repairs

Floors, walls, and door repairs or replacements are common due to water damage. Check with your local authorities to see if repairs are allowed or if they require a city permit. If the damage to your home was only in a few rooms or areas, your family could still live in the house while repairs are being made. But you may need to find temporary shelter for an extended period of time if the damage to your house is excessive.

1. Call PureDry – we are a trustworthy, reputable contractor that has experience in water damage. We’re available 24/7 to respond to water emergencies and offer restoration services.
2. Make sure you get a reasonable quote on services and that they stick to the project timeline. The extent of the damage establishes the restoration period.
3. Once repairs are completed, you may need touch ups like a new paint job, and restoration to plumbing and electric systems in the event they were also damaged. 

Prevent Water Damage to Your Home

1. Check Hoses and Faucets – When temperatures dip below freezing for extended periods, disconnect hoses from faucets. Trapped freezing water expands and can lead to blocked or bursting pipes.

2. Clean Gutters and Downspouts – Clean gutters and downspouts prevent blockage and carry water away from the home properly.

3. Keep Trees Trimmed – Trim trees, branches, and bushes. Plant at least 20 feet away from pipes and drainage fields because roots can wrap around pipes and cause damage.

4. Look for Leaks, Mold and Cracks – Indicators include damp, dark spots on the floor, wall, ceiling, and pipes, as well as cracked caulk. Keep an eye out for chipped paint or wallpaper, black specks or marks, mold, a musty smell, and discoloration. Common causes are:

• Toilets
• Sinks
• Dishwashers
• Ice makers
• Washing machines
• Showers and bathtubs
• Water heaters

5. Monitor Water Pressure – If water pressure is set too high, your pipes can fail.

6. Watch Your Water Bill – Your water bill may increase due to leaking or broken pipes.

7. Inspect Roof and Chimney – Check your roof and chimney for loose or missing roof shingles, cracked bricks, loose mortar, and leaks inside the attic.

Protect Your Property With PureDry

If you have flood damage on your property, prompt removal services are vital to limit further damage and restore the affected area. PureDry offers comprehensive floodwater removal services specialized to address the most vulnerable and damaged flooding areas.

• Thorough Restoration: We ensure a thorough cleanup and restoration to minimize the long-term impact of floodwater damage on your property.
• 24/7 Availability: We’re available around the clock to respond to flood emergencies promptly.
• Professional Services: Our team consists of experienced professionals trained in handling floodwater removal and restoration.
• Areas Covered: We address flood damage affecting various features on your property, including basements, attics, walls, floors, and HVAC systems.

Contact Us: Don’t hesitate to contact us for immediate assistance and peace of mind in the face of a water disaster.