It isn’t new to know a loved one or family member came back from vacation only to find that their home was flooded due to a leaked or burst water pipe, or their home’s basement is full of water due to a rainstorm.
In the end, water can make its way into our homes in many different ways. While water isn’t a nuisance itself, it undoubtedly leaves behind the challenging and time-consuming task of dealing with the damage it causes.
If left unattended, water can spread throughout your house, causing damage to your property by weakening its foundation, causing mold and mildew, and many other health-related issues. Mold and mildew development can start as early as twenty-four hours after the flood.
However, if you were a victim of a natural disaster, how you deal with the damage matters the most. So, with that in mind, let us look at a few immediate steps you should take for handling water damage.
Hire professional water damage repair services
Water damage can occur without any warning. After all, things are usually out of our control in case of a natural disaster or a water pipe bursts out of nowhere.
If you couldn’t take immediate steps to manage and handle water damage left behind by the flood or leaking water pipes, you risk providing mold and bacteria an environment to grow. In this case, the best thing you can do here is to get in touch with your local water damage repair services.
Water damage is a prevalent issue in Texas. But, as challenging as dealing with water damage is, you don’t have to stress yourself out by thinking you’re dealing with it by yourself.
Inspect for mold
The next step to take is to inspect water-damaged materials for mildew and mold growth. As mentioned above, mold and mildew can grow as quickly as twenty-four hours after water damage. So, it is wise to inspect every corner of your home.
If you find mold or mildew growth, you have to proceed with caution as some mold types can be toxic to humans. It would be best to cut out the affected area, wrap it up, and throw it away.
However, for serious mold issues, call in a professional to avoid contamination. And don’t forget that mold and mildew growth can occur in hidden areas like the inside of the walls or insulation.
Dry the water-damaged area
It is vital to rid your home of moisture before it ends up causing severe damage to the people living inside it. For minor water leaks, this might not be a challenging thing to do. For instance, you can place fans in the water-ridden area to circulate airflow and promote drying.
However, renting an industrial dehumidifier will be your best bet to dry out for more significant water leaks on carpets, wood, and other materials. In the end, do your best to purge out moisture from the water-affected areas.
Focus your attention on your ceiling
Due to gravity, ceilings affected by water damage are at a higher risk of sagging and falling on you. So, it would be wise to repair them as soon as possible as it is a disaster waiting to happen.
That said, if your ceiling has suffered damage due to roofing issues, it is vital to find the source of the leak, which might not be near the water stain on your ceiling.
Moreover, ensure that the water damage didn’t cause structural damage to the rafters of beams. If you cannot get to the leak yourself, hiring professional roof repair services is the way to go.
Replace damaged wood
Wood that has developed mildew/mold, rotting wood, and severely warped wood need to be replaced at once. So, rip apart damaged wooden boards and clean beneath them thoroughly to remove remnants of water damage.
That said, if your house contains structural aspects made out of wood, then be careful when replacing them so that your home’s structure isn’t unstable before and after your water damage restoration project.
Replace your drywall
If your home’s drywall has suffered water damage, there is no choice but to replace it. But, before you do that, measure your previous drywall. If it has sagged more than three-eighths of an inch from the baseline measurement, then you must replace the entire drywall sheet.
On the other hand, if it hasn’t sagged that much, just cut the area affected by water damage and replace it with a new one. Moreover, don’t forget to check behind the drywall for signs of water damage.
Chances are the leakage might have gone through the insulation. If that has happened, you need to replace the insulation as well.
Apply new Caulking and new paint
After you’ve replaced every water-damaged material, be it insulation, wood material, or drywall, now is the time for touch-ups a fresh coat of paint. It is also an opportunity for you to caulk and seal the new materials to reduce the chances of future water damage issues.
All you need to do is match the color of the old paint, and you are good to go!
Get in touch with your insurance company
A water damage repair project is by no means inexpensive. There are tons of things involved, from purchasing new materials to hiring professionals services to everything in between. So, paying for it from your pocket will leave a massive hole in your wallet.
But, if you have insurance, now is the time to get in touch with them. In the end, they’ll pay for the bulk of your restoration project, considering the fact the insurance type you’ve signed up for covers the damages.
Conclusion
In the end, no matter the cause of water damage to your home, consider following the steps mentioned above if you want your home to be a safe and secure place for you and your family.
After all, taking preventative measures will lower the chances of catastrophic damages down the line, which will make things a whole lot better for you and your wallet!
