10 Steps to Follow When Dealing With Water Damage

What do I do if my home or building sustains water damage?
Water damage can occur for many reasons, such as flooding from storms, or especially in Denver, frozen or ruptured pipes. Whatever the reason, you’ll have to overcome some real hurtles.

You’re wondering, what should I do first?

Here are some handy tips to keep water damage at a minimum and to make the restoration process something that can be handled quickly and easily.

1. Watch Out For Danger!

   When attempting to go into a flooded home or building check first for anything that could harm you. Turn off all power and gas in rooms that have sustained water damage. Watch for animals, sometimes dangerous insects and animals can come in with the water during floods. If you’re dealing with standing water watch your step. Standing water is dirty and can be hard to see through, be wary of debris underneath the water. Lastly the water could contain dangerous pathogens or chemicals, wear waterproof clothing.

2. Water Damage Brings Mold

   Water damage can lead to problems with mold so it’s important to keep a close eye out for it. Why? Mold causes a variety of health problems including respiratory health issues and asthma attacks in those with asthma as well as other unpleasant effects even for healthy folks.

3. Investigate Your Home or Building For Structural Integrity

   Water damage can diminish the construction of your home especially if your property has been flooded for some time. Take a look at the foundation, your load-bearing walls, your basement, and any columns for crumbling. Water damage takes a special toll on basement walls when the basement is dried but the surrounding area is waterlogged.

4. Wear Waterproof Clothing

   Considering what we’ve already discussed regarding the dangerous pathogens and possible chemicals in the standing water you should cover up fully with goggles, gloves, a helmet and a mask. Make sure that anything that was in the area that sustained the water damage is thoroughly disinfected, that includes yourself and your equipment.

5. Take Photos

   Once you’ve followed the above steps you will then be able to take a look at the damage and document it. Photos of the water damage will be important when dealing with your insurance agency.

6. Dry Out Your Home or Building

   It’s important to be quick about drying out your home or building to minimize the possibility of  mold growing and of deterioration of the structure.

   The first thing you must do is get the water out your home or building. The amount of time your home stays flooded directly affects the amount of water damage your home will sustain. You can sweep a lot of the water through an open door if you have access to one. If the water is in the basement or a room without access to a door you’ll want to use a shopvac or a small pump. If your property is older then you should dry the area out slowly in as older homes have the older, more fragile elements which can crack or warp if dried too quickly.

7. Inspect the Attic for Water Damage

   You may not know this but the insulation in your walls can carry the water up to the attic so the best place to start is there. Considering that water can stay in the insulation for some time coupled with how hot attics can get, this is a recipe for mold and wood rot.

8. Ventilate the Area Suffering From Water Damage

   Check for Inspect water damaged rooms for moistened sheetrock and plaster. If you see signs of moisture, open your windows turn on your attic fan, as long as your electrical system has already been checked.

9. Disinfect the Area

   After you have ventilation happening and you’ve removed the wet materials, clean everything with a disinfectant such as bleach with water. Make sure you wash everything to remove the residue from the water damage.

10. Call Professional Restoration

    If you’re suffering from water damage then following these steps will have you well on your way to restoring your property. If you need any help or if the job is just too large for you to handle alone, call the experts at Professional Restoration at 303-922-4001 anytime 24/7!