The sun goes into hiding during Seattle winters, but the rain isn’t so shy. When downpours lead to roof leaks and basement floods, it’s important to have a game plan.
Pure Dry is Seattle’s leading water damage restoration company, handling everything from water removal to full water damage repair. We help home and business owners when they need it most, but we also want to educate our customers. Most water damage cleaning should be handled by a professional water damage restoration company, but you can take certain steps to reduce damage before professionals arrive.
In this blog, we discuss common causes of water damage and what you can do to reduce its impact before the pros step in.
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Understanding the Causes of Water Damage
Increased rainfall during Seattle winters can cause all sorts of problems. Water damage can arrive from outside or inside, with storms, leaks, and pipe bursts being typical culprits. The water inside pipes can also freeze, causing it to expand and rupture the pipe.
What Is Water Damage Restoration?
A water damage restoration service returns your home to its original condition after it suffers water damage. This includes removing excess water, drying affected areas, eliminating mold, and renovating damaged materials. Water damage restoration requires quick action, specialized equipment, and expert technicians.
Signs of Water Damage in Winter
You’ll know when a flood strikes your home or business, but not all water damage is easy to spot. Be on the lookout for the following signs of water damage:
- Water puddles indoors
- Water stains and discoloration on walls, ceilings, and floors
- Musty, damp odors
- Peeling paint and wallpaper
- Wet carpets
- Condensation on vents and windows
- Unexplained structural damage
Steps to Take When You Detect Water Damage
If you detect water damage, you can prevent further damage and ensure your safety by taking some basic precautions.
It’s important to turn off your power if there is standing water. But don’t do this yourself—you should contact your utility provider and ask them to do so. This prevents any chance of electrocution. And if you think the source of water damage is coming from inside, shut off your water supply.
Then, contact a trusted water damage restoration company as soon as possible.
Have an Emergency? Call Now!
The Water Damage Restoration Process in Winter
Much of the water damage restoration process requires professional equipment and a wealth of experience in water damage cleaning. For this reason, water damage is usually addressed by a water damage restoration service. But you can follow the first three steps to increase your safety and decrease overall damages.
1. Find the Source
If the source of your water damage is inside your home or business, shut off your water supply immediately. Stopping the flow of water will drastically reduce damages and overall costs.
2. Cut Off the Power
If you find standing water or puddles inside, call your utility provider and ask them to cut off your power. This reduces the chances of electrocution and additional damages.
3. Assess the Amount of the Damage
It’s a good idea to document the extent of your water damage before making an insurance claim. Photos and videos should suffice, but be careful not to enter any hazardous areas. Sewage and contaminated water should be avoided.
4. Remove Standing Water
A vacuum or pump is used during the water extraction process. Removing excess water from your home or business is essential, as any remaining water can sink into building materials and lead to mold growth.
5. Dry Off the Area
Water damage restoration services use high-grade fans and dehumidifiers to dry the affected area. Drying and dehumidification remove extra moisture from the air, preventing mold and mildew growth. This is especially important for addressing wall water damage and ceiling water damage.
6. Recycling and Disposal
Some materials are unsalvageable after water damage. Items like insulation, carpets, or drywall may be so riddled with contaminants that they must be discarded. But disposal isn’t always necessary—carpets and other items can oftentimes be disinfected and dried.
7. Clean and Disinfect
Mold growth and contaminants can be combatted using specialized cleaning solutions and detergents. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces is especially important after sewage backups and floods. All surfaces must be thoroughly dried before they are disinfected.
8. Repair and Replace
Once your indoor air is healthy and all surfaces have been cleaned, unsalvageable materials can be replaced and damaged materials can be repaired. It is important to address structural damage first. Wall water damage should be addressed as soon as possible, followed by ceiling water damage or wood floor water damage. Walls, ceilings, and floors hold your building together, so you don’t want them at risk for long. They also harbor mold and mildew, which can easily spread and cause further damage.
9. Prevent Water Damage
If you actively take steps to avoid water damage, you can eliminate future repair costs and live with greater peace of mind. Regularly surveying your property will alert you to any signs of water damage, such as wet spots, cracks, peeling, or discoloration. You can also waterproof doors and windows to defend against outdoor water damage.
Installing water alarms and similar detection devices can help with early detection, especially in the event of a flood or persistent leak. Timing is everything when preventing water damage, so any device that alerts you of suspicious water levels will be a huge help.
Trust PureDry With Your Water Damage Restoration Needs
Winter is Seattle’s wet season, so it’s important to keep an eye on your property once the temperatures drop. Detecting water damage early will save you from huge costs and lengthy repairs, but if water damage sneaks past you, PureDry is here to help.
PureDry is Seattle’s trusted water damage restoration company, providing 24/7 live calls and rapid response times to save homes and businesses before it’s too late. We service any form of water damage and work on any type of building, offering both residential and commercial water removal services.
Our focus is on your safety and well-being, so we won’t leave a job until all contaminants are removed and your property is returned to its original state.
You can call our 24/7 emergency service at (425) 600-7560 or book an appointment online. We look forward to helping you!
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PureDry
Services
We handle everything from water damage restoration to mold removal and fire damage restoration.
After a residential fire, you will be pleased to have PureDry on your side. We are certified for fire damage restoration in Seattle, with experienced team members and state-of-the-art equipment.
When disaster strikes, rely on PureDry for commercial fire damage restoration to clear and restore your property of any smoke and fire damage. We can restore commercial properties back to their original condition!
We have years of experience when it comes to mold remediation and clean up. We are the Seattle mold removal experts. Our highly trained staff and professional grade equipment will have your Seattle home happy and healthy again.
If your place of business is suffering from mold, get the best team in the Seattle area to take care of it! We offer best in class commercial mold remediation, so do not hesitate to give us a call!
PureDry is your go-to choice for Seattle water damage restoration services. We have serviced thousands of homes, so rest assured that you are receiving the very best service and value when it comes to water damage restoration.
If your property has been affected by water damage, contact PureDry for the best commercial water damage restoration service in Seattle and the Snohomish area. We are always ready, so contact us 24/7!
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