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Step 1) Don't panic! Water damage is one of the most commonreasons for claims on homeowner's insurance. It can come in many forms, fromnatural disasters like floods or hurricanes to accidents like broken pipes or aleaky roof. No matter the cause, prompt action is essential to minimizing thedamage and preventing future occurrences. The longer you wait, the more damageyour home will suffer, and the more repairs will cost you.
Step 2) Call water damage restoration experts who can helpyou deal with the entire repair process, including handling your insurancecompany for you. You will want your insurance company to be aware of theproblem, but why not let the water damage experts handle that for you? If youcall your insurance company directly, you'll likely be stuck with whatevercontractor they recommend to you, instead of being able to choose your own.
Step 3) Make sure the building is safe to enter. Severe canimpair the structural integrity of your home, weakening floors, walls, andceilings. Be sure to put your own safety and that of your family first. Don?tenter if you think the building might be structurally unsound.
Step 4) Shut off main water, power, and gas to the buildingbefore taking stock of damage.
Step 5) When you survey the damage, be thorough. Take notes.Take pictures. If the damage was not caused by a natural disaster, try to findthe source of the problem. Likely causes are a burst water pipe or a backed upsewage line.
Step 6) Secure the home. If there are any broken windows ordoors, damaged walls or roof areas, cover them to protect against rainwaterdamage. If you do not feel safe, or are unable to handle the job on your own,get professional help.
Step 7) If there is standing water in the house, sweep asmuch of it outdoors as possible.
Step 8) Protect and secure your assets. Relocate undamagedbelongings to a safe, dry part of the house. Take steps to minimize the damageto your personal belongings. Move wet clothes and rugs to a sunny, breezylocation if possible. Photocopy important documents.
Step 9) In the first 24-48 hours, one of the most importantthings you can do is to take steps to avoid growth.Get a dehumidifier to reduce ambient humidity levels. Throw away any non-valuablepaper items, ceiling tiles, and insulation. Use a water extraction vacuum oncarpet and upholstered furniture. Remove moisture from wood surfacesimmediately, and keep that dehumidifier running! Use fans to accelerate thedrying process.
Step 10) Once you have taken immediate steps to contain andminimize the damage to your home and personal belongings, it's time to bring inthe professionals. At ,our highly trained experts are available 24/7 for all your water-relatedemergency needs, and we can be on-site in 45 minutes or less. With 30 years ofexperience in the industry, we can help you with everything from removal ofproperty and storage services to complete property restoration. When the worsthappens, call us first, and feel secure in knowing that you're being taken careof by a qualified, reputable home repair team.