It’s obvious that major water damage can be a catastrophe for your home—one that should be fixed as fast as possible. Whether you’ve just experienced the misfortune of major water damage to your home, or you’re preparing yourself to know how to react in the event of said misfortune, here are three tips you should follow to handle the emergency as easily as possible.
Assess the Damage
Assessment is the first step in fixing water damage. You should hire a home inspector who can assess the damage and let you know how to proceed. Your home inspector can give you a good idea about what you need to replace.
Inspectors typically begin their assessments outside, working their way inside your home. They will use their experience and specialized tools to ensure that they can find any water damage effectively. It’s a good idea to take a photo and/or video record of the damage for insurance purposes. You can submit the damage to your insurance so they can give you a quote regarding the amount of money available to you for repairs.
Seek Out Professional Help
After you’ve assessed the damage, it’s time to seek out professional help. Sites like HomeAdvisor connect you to professionals in your area. After entering your zip code, you’ll be able to describe the location and extent of the damage, as well as your other repair needs. While you may be able to repair some of the damage yourself, it’s always a good idea to at least get a professional quote. Some of the repairs may be more difficult than you initially thought.
Invest in Preventative Measures
After the immediate danger has passed, you should take the necessary preventative measures to ensure you won’t have to go through the same problems again in the future. If the water damage was caused by a leaky roof, foundation, or insulation, make sure that the weak spots are fixed. You should also begin regularly checking your hoses and faucets for cracks or water leaks. Make sure the caulking around your shower and tub is watertight. Educate yourself on how to shut off your water main. You might even consider purchasing a water leak alarm and/or a water flow monitoring system. Investing in preventative measures such as these can protect you from further damage in the future.
As you first assess the water damage, then seek professional help, and finally invest in preventative measures, you will put yourself in the best possible position for fixing any water damage in your home.
If you’ve had some water damage and are worried about mold, contact us to schedule an appointment for a mold inspection!