Water Damage — It Is Not the End of the World

When it comes to things that can wreak havoc upon the safety and structure of your home, water damage is undoubtedly one of the more devastating issues that may need to be addressed. Unlike a fire, it can be a very complicated and multi-faceted process, because there are many other issues that must be considered when making the repairs. It isn’t enough to simply remove the wet items and address any destruction that may have been left behind on the surface, because the parts of the home that aren’t visible and are rarely considered may have been affected. Because of this, it isn’t advisable for homeowners to tackle repairs without at least a basic level of professional help.

Although flooding from hurricanes, storms, and other natural disasters is the primary reason most water damage repairs are necessary, there are a number of other things that may cause your home to fall victim to destruction. It is able to easily seep through cracks in the walls and floor, as well as weaknesses in your foundation. Minor problems may occur from leaky pipes, or you may experience full blown flooding as a result of broken or burst pipes. Related appliances such as your water heater are common sources of destruction, as well as backed up drains or even a leaky roof. There’s no way to prevent your home from suffering some of the catastrophic side effects, but you can help keep the repairs and the cost minimal by acting quickly at the first signs of a problem, and through making sure your home’s insurance policy includes flood and water damage coverage.

If your home has been damaged by flooding or other problems that have resulted in flooding inside your home, the first step in dealing with the problem is to remove all household items and furnishings affected by the accident, including furniture, personal mementos and homed décor, storage boxes, linens, clothing, window treatments, and anything hanging on the walls. After this step is complete, begin to remove the excess moisture from the home. Depending on the volume of liquid inside the house, this can be accomplished with a mop and bucket, a wet/dry vacuum, or through calling a service to handle the removal of water from your home. Only after these things have been accomplished can you get a true sense of the extent of the damage, and call in both your insurance company and repair professionals.