No one wants to come home to unexpected water damage. Sometimes, after a severe storm or unexpected pipe burst, water damage is inevitable. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to minimize the destruction while you wait for an experienced water damage restoration specialist in Depew to arrive.
Here are the top five steps you can take to minimize water damage in your home:
Identify the Source of the Leak
To stop the leak, you need to know where it’s coming from. If you notice water dripping from your ceiling, it’s most likely a roof leak. If you notice water on the floor in your bathroom or basement, it may be because of a pipe burst or broken sump pump.
Shut Off the Water
It may seem like an obvious step, but you’d be surprised by how often this is overlooked. When you come home to an overflowing toilet or flooded basement, your first thought will be cleaning it up, not looking for the shutoff valve. However, you need to turn off your water first to prevent more water from damaging the home. Look for the water’s shutoff valve, usually located about five feet from where water enters the home.
Clean Up the Mess
After you turn off the water, clean up the mess. Lay towels down to soak up the excess water, or place a bucket underneath the leak if it’s coming from the ceiling. Remove any household items like furniture and other valuables from the affected area to prevent them from getting damaged. Remember, residential water damage can occur in as little as one hour, so make sure you’re cleaning up this mess as soon as possible.
Do not try to clean up debris or soak up the water with a vacuum or any other electrical device.
Let the Area Dry Out
After cleaning up the area, open your doors and windows to help air out the home. If your leak was caused by a burst pipe, open the cabinet doors to let them dry. If you have a humidifier, plug it in and use it to soak up excess moisture in the air. You can also use a hairdryer or fan to help dry soaked walls or floorboards, as these are common areas where mold can develop.
Call a Water Remediation Specialist
Contact a water remediation specialist to come out as soon as possible. If water damage isn’t properly treated, it can turn into mold, which can wreak havoc on both your home and immune system. If you’re looking for a water damage restoration specialist, look no further than the team at Green Genie Environmental. We use eco-friendly tools and techniques to remove water from your home safely and efficiently. Call us today at (716) 466-6653 or visit us on the web.