4 Tips for Homeowners After a Water Damage Mishap

If you are a homeowner and have just had a terrible water damage mishap, here are 4 tips to help you through the process.

It’s a terrifying experience to wake up one morning, only to discover water damage to your home. And worse yet, there are an innumerable number of reasons that can cause water damage — from burst pipes and toilet leaks, to overflowing sinks and overflowing tubs. No matter the cause, it is important that you take action immediately after any water damage mishap. Below, we will take you through four simple things you need to remember as a homeowner after experiencing water damage.

Shut off utilities

The first thing you want to do when dealing with water damage in your home is to shut off the utilities immediately. Turn off the electricity and gas, and shut off the water supply to your house. Do not use electrical appliances until they are checked by a qualified person.

Call an insurance adjuster

The second thing you need to do is call your insurance company or agent. They will ask for the policy number and details about how the water damage took place. They might also ask what items were damaged, as well as their value. Make sure to have your home inventory list handy! You must be able to show proof of ownership before they will pay out on a claim, so having this prepared ahead of time can save you a lot of headaches after the fact. While you are talking to them, take photos of all the damage item by item and make sure that you document everything in writing – including names, times and quotes from anyone who has been on site (including contractors). Ask for a claim number, if they don’t give one to you right away.

Protect your belongings by wrapping them in plastic sheeting

You should wrap your belongings in plastic sheeting before the water removal process begins. This can be done using contractor-grade sheets or with smaller rolls of plastic sheeting. These are easily purchased at your local hardware store.

If you wrap valuable items such as paintings and antiques, they’re likely to survive without being harmed by the water. The plastic will protect them from moisture that could potentially cause mold to form on them, too.

Use a dehumidifier

It’s important to remove excess moisture from your belongings as soon as possible to reduce the risk of mold growth. A lot of people make the mistake of believing that leaving their windows open is enough to dry out their home, but the truth is that most homeowners will need to invest in a good dehumidifier for these situations.

You can use it in your basement or garage if you have any wooden items stored there, and it will be especially useful if you have severe water damage from something like an overflowing toilet or burst pipe. Just make sure you follow through with all steps including using fans to keep things circulating even after everything has dried up!

Water Damage Restoration Des Moines

Water is one of the most destructive natural forces. It can cause extensive damage to a building or home in a very short period of time. Most importantly, it can cause real health risks to you and your loved ones including mold growth and bacterial infections that can affect the respiratory system. In order to get your home back into pre-damage condition, contact the experts at Restoration 1 Des Moines. Our water damage restoration team in Des Moines professionals have the experience and training to make your property look as good as new.