If you have ever suffered a flood or had leaky/broken pipes inside your home, you know the impact it can have both emotionally and financially. It's important to rid the home of the water and begin a water restoration project immediately.
How do you begin a water restoration project on your home?
First, you need to assess how extensive the damage is. Is the house completely submerged or did only one room get the damage (i.e. the basement, bathroom, kitchen, etc.)?
Second, be sure the power is turned off to the home when wading through any water. Some deaths occur when trying to do a water restoration project. If the damage is in one room only but you are not sure what breaker works to that room, shut off the power entirely.
Third, start getting rid of the water. The trick to this part of the water restoration project is to do this without further damage to your home. Removing water too fast can cause the structure of your home to possibly collapse or have cracks in the walls. Any water left in the home is a breeding ground for mold, mildew and even bugs.
Fourth, use dehumidifiers to remove the moisture left in the air. This helps to keep mold and mildew at bay, and help speed up your water restoration undertaking.
Fifth, carpets may or may not be salvaged. Using a wet/dry vacuum, get most of the water up. Remove the carpet and lay it out to let it dry further. If you can afford to, you may want to replace the carpet to ensure that no mold will grow. Make sure to clean the floor under the carpet.
While you can't completely guard yourself and your home from floodwaters, you can guard your home from damages within it. What does this mean? It means always be on the lookout for possible problems with your water and sewer pipes.
What do you need to look for to stave off any kind of water restoration project on your home?
First, look at your toilet or is your washer backing up into your bathtub? These could be signs of a bigger problem that could lead to water damage and a water restoration project if not fixed soon.
Second, make sure you keep an eye on gutters and drains. If it seems like leaves or other materials are stopping it from flowing correctly, then remove them as soon as possible.
Third, check the structure of your home. Basements that are partially finished or crawl spaces that are rarely used can wreak havoc down the road. If leaks are occurring, your home could become unstable and mold may form, causing health problems for you and your family.
Always check with your homeowner's insurance to see if you have the right coverage for them to cover the damages. If you do, you may want to consider hiring a professional company to handle the damages. They can ensure that your home is restored back to its original state. If you plan to go this route, always check sources, get feedback and look into the company by checking out the Better Business Bureau.
James Farkenfur is a water service advocate for
Dallas Water Damage Restoration and
Miami Water Damage Restoration
