Caring for Your Home After Water Damage
A disaster or tragedy involving damage to your home is a difficult and heart-wrenching time. Whether due to an act of God or a plumbing issue, there are steps you must take in order to begin the process of restoring your home.
We understand that a flood is a confusing and difficult situation to be in, so we’ve put together a list of what you can do after the damage has occurred to turn your house back into your home as soon as possible.
Enjoy an overview of what you should do after experiencing water damage before exploring the details further below.
- Get in touch with your insurance company to confirm if you have coverage and get insight on next steps
- Take safety precautions by wearing protective gear when evaluating damage and turning off the power
- Contact professionals to remove water, dispose furniture, begin drying, check for mold, and perform repairs
Contact Your Insurance Company
While you may feel overwhelmed, upset, and confused, it is important to pick up the phone and contact your insurance company as soon as you can.
Homeowner’s insurance varies depending on your policies and most standard contracts do not cover flood damage repair. Rather, there is separate coverage provided by FEMA.
Speaking to your agent about specifics will clear up any questions you may have about coverage. They will also advise you on what steps to take before an adjuster arrives.
Take plenty of photos documenting damage throughout the process of cleanup. Take note of the value of items as well.
Stay Safe
While you’re assessing the damage, it is important to take proper safety precautions.
Protective Gear
If you’re able to, wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, wet, or damaged. Pull on rubber boots and gloves to protect yourself from injury and potentially hazardous water.
Turn Off Power
If there was ever a pairing that did not mix well, it’s electricity and water. If you’re able to turn your electricity off without standing in water or in a wet area, turn it off. If the area is surrounded by water, it’s best to call an electrician to come take care of it as safely as possible.
Call For Help
In addition to calling your insurance company and an electrician if needed, it is important to contact a restoration team like ours at W.B. Arthur. Our professionals can help complete the restoration process efficiently, properly, and safely.
Clean Up
Our team will assist with the removal of furniture from the area to prevent further damage to the pieces. We will also remove standing or excess water.
Drying
A very important step in restoring your home is the drying process. Proper drying is crucial to the process and the sooner the house is dry, the sooner it is inhabitable once again. Through a detailed analysis of your property, a drying plan is designed to ensure thorough and proper structural drying to avoid mold growth and permanent damage.
Mold Check
Mold can begin growing very quickly after water damage. Not only could it affect the surfaces in your home like walls, flooring, and baseboards, it can grow on your possessions if they are not properly dried and taken care of. This includes papers, books, upholstery, and knick knacks.
The best way to prevent mold growth is to act quickly to get the restoration process going. The sooner we can remove your belongings from the area and begin drying, the less likely items will sit and grow mold.
Repairs
Once your home is dry and cleared out, it is time to assess the situation at hand. Our restoration team will help you determine the necessary repairs that must be made before the home is inhabitable and safe again.
Restoration Services in San Marcos
For a team with state-of-the-art equipment and processes, look no further than W.B. Arthur. Our experts handle each case with extreme care and attention to detail in order to help your family come home soon. Give us a call at (512) 710-0559 to discuss our process or take a look at our services online.
