If you are dealing with water damage, you may feel overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. You can do a few things by yourself, but it’s important to call the professionals at Cleaning and Restoration Specialists for help within the first 24 hours. Here are the best tips for what to do as soon as you discover water damage.
DISCONNECT THE POWER AND UTILITIES
The very first step to take is not to begin clearing affected items out of your home. You should first make sure that the power is turned off. This step will prevent you from the danger of electrocution or possible fires.
Be sure to exercise caution when navigating a water-flooded area. Wear rubber-soled shoes or boots and use a battery-operated flashlight or the light on your phone if needed. Turn off the power at the main circuit box.
It’s also essential to turn off the natural gas at the main entry point to your house. If you don’t know how to do this yourself, call your utility provider for help. They will assist you in shutting off the gas to avoid a potentially life-threatening explosion.
MOVE WET ITEMS ASAP
This is a tough, messy job, but it’s very important. Move water-damaged items to a safe, dry place as soon as possible. Use fans and/or shop vacuums, as appropriate, to help dry them out. Many items, like furniture, curtains, and upholstery, may need professional treatment to inhibit mold and mildew growth.
Don’t overlook important documents, valuables, and clothing. You may need help from professional cleaners or preservation specialists to restore these items. But you can minimize the damage by getting these items to a dry place as soon as possible.
REMOVE STANDING WATER
If possible, determine where the water is coming from and stop the source. Shut off the water main to your house or block the sewer. Cover a damaged roof with tarps to stop more rain from coming in.
Once the water source has been stopped, you can begin moving water on your own. Use mops, shop vacuums and fans to collect water as soon as possible. Open windows and doors to let fresh air in while you soak up the standing water. It’s also good practice to use a dehumidifier to collect additional water from the air.
CALL FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP
Once you have taken these preliminary steps, it’s time to call the professionals at Cleaning and Restoration Specialists. We can remove water from the areas you can’t see, such as walls, carpet padding, sub-floors, and other areas. Our technicians use industry-standard tools and practices to get all the water out.
We will work with your insurance company to get your claim processed in a timely manner. The sooner you contact us, the better chance we have to save your home from extensive and costly repairs. Don’t wait – call us at (210) 610-5481 after experiencing damage from excess water. We can help you best if you call us within 24 hours of the water damage. We’ll help you avoid the common mistakes of doing all the work yourself and help you get your house back to normal faster than you can on your own.
