Essential Tips for Dealing with Water Damage

living room flooded with floating chair and no one above.

Water is a must for a home or business. At the same time, water can also cause all kinds of damage. Too much water in any space can lead to all kinds of problems. If you have water issues, these tips can prevent further damage to the space.

Work Fast

When dealing with water damage of any kind, time is of the essence. You want to work as fast as you can right now. The water must be removed from the area quickly or it may create all sorts of additional issues. Once you notice that water is accumulating in an area because of a problem such as a leak or a fierce outside storm, you’ll want to develop a plan to make sure the water is removed from the area.

Look for Mold

Mold thrives on water. When you have lots of water in any space, you run the immediate risk of having mold growth. You want to examine all surfaces in the home in order to check for mold growth. You’ll need to have a careful look at each part of the space. A flashlight can help you see where there’s a problem. Mold can give all sorts of odors that can put your health at risk. It can also create even further damage to the structure once you’ve gotten rid of the water. That is why it needs to be addressed if you see it.

Get Rid of Damaged Materials

Standing water can rapidly damage many types of materials. That includes walls, flooring, and other items. These items need to be removed as soon as possible. It may be possible to salvage some logged items like your floorboards. However, many items have obvious water stains. Fabrics and other items that have too much water are best thrown out once you see the extent of the problem. It’s a good idea to document the damage as much as you can. It may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement under your homeowner’s insurance.

Use The Right Materials

Using the right materials is important when it comes to working with water damage problems. You want to make sure the damage is cleared out fully. That’s why you’ll want to make sure you have items that can help you get rid of the items that have been damaged by water very quickly. You should have tools that can break up larger items. It should also include a place to store items that have been damaged before throwing them out. Take pictures of the damage and store them digitally. Use a ruler to illustrate exactly how much water was in your basement.