Water Damage Tips Everyone Should Know
3/7/2023 (Permalink)
When you're faced with a water damage disaster, it can be tempting to panic. But try not to! Instead, take a deep breath, follow these tips, and work with professionals to get your home back in shape as soon as possible.
Take a deep breath.
The first thing you should do when you notice water damage is to take a deep breath. Don't panic! Just because there's water in your home doesn't mean it has to be a disaster. The more calm and collected you are, the easier it will be for everyone involved (including yourself) to deal with the situation.
Turn off the power.
The next water damage tip is to turn off the power.
This is a crucial step that many people forget, and it's easy to see why: turning off the main electrical breaker can be intimidating, especially if you're not familiar with your home's electrical system. But there are several reasons why you should do it anyway:
- Turning off the electricity prevents further damage to your property and keeps you safe from electrocution or fire hazards (which could happen if water has entered into an outlet).
- Turning off the water supply prevents further damage from occurring to your appliances.
Don't use a vacuum to remove the water.
While it may seem like a good idea to use a vacuum to remove standing water, the reality is that this can do more harm than good. Vacs are designed to be used on dry surfaces, and they can cause damage to the electrical system and structure of your home if you try using one on wet carpeting and floors.
Additionally, vacuums have limited suction power--even high-powered ones won't be able to extract every last drop of moisture from your carpet or flooring. This is why it's important not just to get rid of standing water but also to call in professionals who know how best to remove moisture from each type of surface.
Take photos and videos of the water damage.
When you're dealing with water damage, it's easy to forget the details of what happened. Taking photos and videos will help you remember exactly what was damaged and how it should be repaired, which will make the insurance claim process easier for everyone involved.
Take photos of:
- The source of the water (if known)
- Affected areas (wherever there is visible damage)
- Affected items (things that aren't working because of their exposure to moisture)
Call a professional restoration company.
A professional restoration company is the best option for dealing with water damage. The most obvious reason for this is that they have the right tools and training to do the job safely--but there are other reasons as well. A professional restoration company, such as SERVPRO of Stone Oak, will take care of the entire insurance claims process for you. From start to finish, they will work with your insurance company to ensure that you receive the proper compensation. And finally, because of their experience with water damage (and other disasters), they'll know what steps need to be taken in order to minimize further damage after removing excess moisture from your home or office space.
Don't panic, follow these tips instead!
Water damage can be scary, but it's important not to panic and follow these tips instead!
- Take a deep breath. We know that sounds silly, but taking a moment to calm down will help you focus on what needs to be done next.
- Turn off the power to prevent the chance of electrical shock or electrocution
- Don't use a vacuum cleaner to remove any water.
- Call a restoration company.
- Take pictures of the damage.
We hope that this post has given you some helpful tips for dealing with water damage. While it may be scary, it's important not to panic and follow these tips instead!