I Suffered Water Damage - Now What Do I Do?

103 21
When it comes to water damage clean up, speed is of the essence.
When you experience a water damage loss, most insurance policies require you to make sure that all necessary steps are taken to mitigate further damage, for the simple reason that the longer you wait to begin the clean up, the more extensive and expensive it becomes.
And the longer something stays wet, the more likely you will be to experience secondary moisture damage and microbial growth.
Water removal is the first step in the clean up process.
Removing all standing water, wet carpet, and wet carpet pad, will prevent the water from migrating to other areas and wicking any further up the walls.
It is important to call for help from a company that answers their own phones 24 hours a day so that you can talk directly to a supervisor, not an answering service, have your questions answered, and be assured that help is on the way.
When you are ankle-deep in water, you don't have time to wait for a call back, not knowing when or if it will come.
The next step is setting up proper commercial drying equipment to begin removing moisture from the air and drying the contents and structure.
It is very important to get moisture levels in the air down as fast as possible to prevent any secondary damage.
High moisture levels in the air caused by the evaporating water can cause blistering paint, the warping of structural material and microbial growth including mold, in areas that were not originally affected by the water.
You need a water damage contractor who is fast, but also has a reputation for having the right equipment and expertise to prevent further damage and dry you out quickly.
Look for a company that is BBB accredited, or better yet, a BBB Award for Excellence Winner.
Try using your local BBB website to begin your search.
The right company Be sure to choose a water damage clean up company that will have crews on the scene quickly to remove all standing water, test the floors, walls and ceilings for moisture content, block up the furniture, set up drying equipment, and apply EPA registered mildewcide to all wet areas.
A good company will also be have the necessary equipment to continuously monitor the job and keep you and your insurance company fully informed throughout the drying process.
The right equipment The right equipment will dry more than just the moisture that you can see.
It will also dry the areas in the wall and ceiling cavities and other areas, like under and behind cabinets, that you can't see.
This is critical to preventing expensive, hidden problems that could show up later.
The water damage clean up contractor should have the proper moisture testing equipment to insure that everything is completely dry at the completion of the job.
What do you do with water damage? Get it handled quickly - from a company with the right equipment and the experience and expertise to get your home or business, and your life, back to normal as soon as possible.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.