What You Should Know About Water Damage

12/29/2016 (Permalink)

Water damage can be a very difficult situation for any homeowner. But there are certain tips that can help save you time and money. There are also things you shouldn’t do as it can make the situation worse. Here are some tips to guide you in dealing with water damage in your home. 

Do not open the windows

It may seem like instinct to immediately open up any and all windows when you first discover unexpected moisture, but that could actually make matters worse. You want to avoid any excess heat and humidity in order to not complicate the drying process. Instead, call SERVPRO immediately so that the moisture can be examined and removed right away. It is also wise to pull any wet materials or furniture away from the water so that they do not become damaged. Keeping the windows closed will allow the air system to run as it usually does and maintain a stable environment for proper drying.

Your insurance company needs to know right away

When water damage occurs, the best method of defense is calling SERVPRO immediately to schedule an inspection and begin the treatment process. It is also extremely important that the next phone call you make is to your insurance company to get more information on if and what they will cover. Your insurance agent can guide you through the process and help protect your property from further damage. This is important information that can impact the value of your property if it is not addressed immediately and correctly.

Not all water damage is covered by insurance

There are different insurance policies for flood damage and water damage, so not all water damage is created equal. These are things your insurance agent will have questions about and need as much information as possible in order to report a claim. Make sure to specify where the water came from and how much there is so that your insurance company can work with you to handle the situation the best way possible. Most policies cover things like sudden damage such as an overflowing washing machine or a storm, but situations caused by neglect or carelessness are not typically covered by insurance. It is also important to know if you have a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Policy so that your insurance company can adjust your claim appropriately.

Where the water came from matters

Not only does where the water came from matter for repairs, it matters because the water may be polluted. Water alone can be extremely damaging if it is not dealt with immediately, and if there are any chemicals or bacteria in it can speed up the damaging process and even cause illness. There is a 24 to 48 hour window from the time that water is exposed to an area and the time that mold begins to grow. Mold multiplies quickly and can be extremely dangerous to the health of anyone around it so it is vital that it does not have the opportunity to spread within the water.

Standing water breeds bacteria so that means that any contamination the water touches is spreading germs and can worsen the contamination of your property the longer it is there. The worse the contamination becomes, the more extensive the cleaning process becomes. It is important to address the situation immediately so the water does not breed any bacteria and is removed before further damage occurs.

What not to do

Beyond keeping windows shut and calling SERVPRO and your insurance company, there are several other things you should not do in the case of water damage. Do not leave wet fabrics in the standing water or they will be ruined. Also, do not leave any books or magazines on wet carpets or floors. Avoid turning on any televisions or household appliances that may have been exposed to the standing water as a safety precaution. No matter how tempting it may be, leave the water removal process to the professionals and do not use your household vacuum to remove the water yourself.

SERVPRO can remove water and prevent damage

When unwanted moisture accumulates, the highly trained technicians at SERVPRO use advanced water damage inspection and extraction equipment to find and remove it as quickly as possible. The water damage experts will monitor and document the drying process so that you know your property is back to normal. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the water restoration industry and is able to take on water damage incidents of all types, including storm damage, mold remediation, sewage cleanup, and commercial water damage.