Be it flooding due to a storm or a burst pipe, dealing with water flooding and damage can be very annoying and stressful. This sudden flooding of your home can disrupt your daily life, significantly damage your belongings and might also require very costly repairs. Knowing what steps you should take before a professional water damage restoration company arrives can be very important to avoid further damage.
In this article, we’ll see what steps are needed to prepare for a water damage restoration, some safety precautions and how to choose the right restoration company to deal with the damage.
Preparing for Water Damage Restoration Services
If your home has been damaged by water flooding, you need to act quickly to prevent further damage and make it easier for the restoration services to start their work. Here are some tips you might find helpful:
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Ensure Safety
Safety always comes first. Make sure no harm comes to you or your family. The first thing you can do for this purpose is to turn off the electricity to the flood areas. It can help avoid any electrical hazard that may arise due to this flooding. Also avoid going into the flooded rooms. There might be unseen dangers in the standing water. You might slip or get an electrical shock.
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Immediately Shut Off the Water Source
As soon as you discover the flooding, the first thing you do must be to stop more water from accumulating. Stop the water flow by turning off the main water valve. It might be in the basement or near the water meter. If the leakage is small enough, you might use some waterproof tape to temporarily control the flow until professionals get there.
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Remove and Protect Valuables
Now that you have stopped the water flow, you can focus on protecting your valuables. Move any important documents, valuable items or any portable electronics to a dry place to protect them from water damage. If you can’t move the items, you can try to somehow keep them elevated above the water level temporarily.
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Document the Damage
Documenting the damage is a very important step before you call a restoration company. It can help the restoration company in their work a lot. It can also help you claim insurance for the damage. For this purpose, you can take close-up pictures of the damage or make videos. Also, keep detailed notes with each documentation to keep explaining things simple.
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Minimize Further Damage
While you wait for help, you can take some measures to minimize further water damage. Some of these measures are:
- Soak up excess water as much as you can to minimize the damage. You can use towels, mops, or a wet vacuum to soak up as much water as you can safely soak.
- Now try to protect the areas that are still unaffected by the water but can be in danger. For example, you can place aluminum foils or plastic sheets under the furniture legs to prevent damage to the furniture.
- Ventilate the area to make sure the air flows through the area and can help in drying. Open any windows in the affected area. If you’re sure there won’t be any electrical hazard, turn the fans on.
Read More: Choosing the Right Water Damage Restoration Company
How to Choose a Professional Water Damage Restoration Company?
Now that you have taken the necessary steps to minimize the damage and have prepared the area, you should call a water damage restoration company. Selecting the right company is critical for ensuring quality work and avoiding further damage. Here is what you should consider:
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Check Credentials
While there are no government issued licenses for water damage restoration companies, you can check if the company has any industry-standard credentials. For example, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is one such industry issued certification you can check for.
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Experience Matters
An experienced company will have had exposure to various challenges that can arise during the restoration and will be better equipped to deal with them. They also follow the best practices and practical solutions to make sure you get the best experience.
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Read Reviews
Customer Review can help you judge if a company is reliable and provides good customer service. Look for a company with positive reviews. But be careful with companies that have overwhelmingly generic positive reviews. These reviews might be faked for deceiving potential customers.
Need Help with Water Damage Restoration?
If your home has been flooded, taking quick action is very important. After temporarily managing the situation, call a water damage restoration company. The right company can make all the difference in restoring your home to its original state.
At The Restoration Group, we understand the stress the water damage might cause. With 24/7 emergency services, certified technicians and a proven success record, we offer you the most seamless restoration process. We’re licensed and work with your insurance company to take the extra burden off your shoulders. We are trusted by homeowners and businesses alike to deal with the water damage and provide you peace of mind.
Don’t risk further water damage. Call The Restoration Group now and let us deal with all the stress for you!
