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How To Prepare Your Home After Water Damage

Water damage can occur in your home. If it does, it could be from a number of reasons, such as a flood, hard rain, a burst pipe, plugged drains or an overflowing toilet. No matter what the cause, swift action will help keep the damage to a minimum.

Valve

What can you do before a professional cleanup crew arrives? Whether the damage is caused from a flood or from an internal source, it is important to turn off the water. If it’s a toilet or a backed up sink, it could be as easy as shutting off the valve to that particular area. If it’s a larger problem, you may need to turn off the main shutoff valve.

Dry Out

At this point, it would be a great idea to also turn off the electricity. Everyone knows that water and electricity are a deadly combination. You should also open windows and doors to allow the air to help dry out your house.

Preventing Damage

Taking the necessary measures to prevent more damage is wise. For instance, if there is a pool of water from an overflowing toilet on an upper level, water can seep through to the floor below. Putting pails under drips will help prevent more damage from occurring.

Cleanup

You may need to move furniture to keep it dry during the cleanup process. Once you have cleared the area and before a cleanup crew arrives, you can begin mopping up the water. The sooner the cleanup begins, the less damage there will be on the home. Use towels or large sponges and wring them out. If there is a lot of water, you might want to consider using a wet/dry vacuum (if it is safe to do so).

Insurance

Lastly, it is important to contact your insurance agency. Your policy may cover water damage, and can be helpful in preventing costly bills when the damage is repaired.