Preparing For Water Damage According to Dallas Restoration Experts

A highly functioning Dallas household relies heavily on the water system. Still, in the same way that it can cater to an active family’s healthy lifestyle, water can also bring a busy home to a halt and create significant damage to the property.

Whether pipes freeze and burst, leaks exist in the plumbing, or a natural disaster floods the space, destruction can be imminent, particularly if the damage is not addressed properly and promptly. Delays in seeking a water damage restoration service can compromise the home’s foundation and overall integrity.

As a homeowner and also if you live in a zone where harsh weather is prevalent, it’s vital to devise a plan to be as prepared as possible if water were to invade your space. With adequate research and an actionable response, you have a better chance of having a minimal impact.

Let’s explore steps to follow to address existing and worsening issues when water intrudes on your space.

What To Know About Restoration Before Water Invades Your Home

Having water invade your home is a devastating experience, considering how rapidly it can damage the property. Whether the plumbing fails or a natural disaster strikes, the priority is to act promptly and enlist the services of professional remediation experts in Dallas to properly restore the space.

Specially trained restoration technicians have the knowledge and expertise, along with the proper tools and equipment, to allow a quick assessment of the scene and an immediate course of action.

They aim for a minimal disruption to your daily routine while restoring the property to its pre-incident condition. Visit 12 Tips for Water Damage Repair — The Family Handyman – for tips on making repairs following a water invasion.

The following are immediate steps to take when you have a sudden and unexpected water invasion in your home.

The Insurance Carrier

Homeowner insurance varies depending on the policies that you carry. Following a water incident, the carrier will assign an adjuster to assess the damage and decide if the loss will be covered. Many homeowner plans exclude floods from natural disasters as a covered expense.

However, some carriers offer separate flood insurance you can add with your standard policy.

The recommendation is to take inventory of personal effects and valuables when initiating homeowners’ insurance including taking photos and assigning a value. These records should be kept in a safe and a copy should be submitted to the insurance provider.

Following water damage, you will take photos once more that the adjuster can use with their assessment.

Focus On Safety

Following a devastating event, the focus should be safety for you and your family members including pets. Several steps should be followed for optimum protection.

• Shut off the power supply: Electricity becomes a hazard in a wet environment. The power should be shut off until the house is restored but a credentialed electrician should handle this instead of you reentering the space for optimal safety.

• PPE – Personal Protective Equipment: When you do enter the home, it’s vital to wear protective gear such as rubber boots and gloves. Any injuries sustained in a flooded space are at risk for infection from contaminated water.

• Valuables: Anything of value in the home should be kept in a secure, safe storage space to avoid loss in case water intrudes on your home. This can include critical documents as well as heirlooms.

In the case of a flood, you may be required to evacuate to a safe location until the water subsides. Pay attention to alerts to make sure it’s safe to return and begin the restoration process.

It’s unwise to drive through flooded waters, what seems slight can be enough to sweep your car away. Go here for guidance on the water damage restoration process.

Reduce Humidity And Start To Dry Out

Many homeowners jump into the cleanup process starting with decreasing the humidity and drying out the house. Protective gear is vital when navigating through the home to find items that can be salvaged and toss those that are contaminated beyond restoration.

When there’s much standing water, you can use a bucket or plastic container to eliminate it and follow up with a mop in the nooks and crannies. The final run-through involves finishing the process with a wet-dry vac which you can rent from the local hardware shop. A dehumidifier will help encourage drying out the area.

If the water level isn’t great, you can use the wet-dry vac from the start to make fast work of drying the space. If the electricity can be turned back on, the air conditioner will help remove the humidity from the home. Floor fans and the dehumidifier will work together to dry the damp areas.

Professional restoration experts have specialized tools and equipment to make fast work of the drying process. Time is critical in getting the space dried out to avoid secondary issues such as mold growth which can occur after 24-48 hours.

Recognizing Mold

Mold is difficult to remove once it’s established, which can happen after the first 24 hours of a water invasion. The faster that wet items are removed and drying out is initiated, the less likely mold will become an issue. Mold is most often found in bathrooms and basements.

Professional remediation significantly reduces the chance of mold growth since these experts make fast work of drying each space.

If you aren’t fortunate enough to avoid mold, many water restoration companies have connections to assist with mold removal and getting the property back to its original safe and healthy condition.

What Should Be Restored

Following the drying stage, you then need to determine what can be saved and what will need to be replaced. Walls and flooring will sometimes need to be replaced, and personal effects usually need to be at least repaired.

When major construction is necessary, it’s important to compare contractors to find the most reputable, reliable, and cost-efficient option.

Final Thought

If the water damage is due to a natural disaster, the local government will advise when you can safely return to your home. When the issue is related to plumbing, your insurance carrier and Dallas professional remediation team will let you know when the house is clean, dry, and inhabitable.