If your home or business has been flooded, only reenter your home if it’s safe to do so. It’s important to disconnect your electricity if you have standing water in your home. Next, you’ll want to talk to your insurance company, document the damage to your home, and hire a water damage restoration professional.
Talk to Your Insurance Company
If you have flood insurance, you need to speak with your insurance company about the damage to your home. While you don’t want to wait to remove the water from your home and save some of your belongings, you’ll need proof of the damage. Take pictures and videos of your home to help with your insurance claim.
Your insurance company may ask you to wait for the adjuster to inspect the damage to your home. You’ll want to communicate with them and let them know what state your home is in, especially if you plan to make repairs before they arrive.
Hire a Restoration Professional
Flood damage can be minor and only involve some drying of the affected areas of your home. But it can also be major and require structural repairs and mold remediation. Even small amounts of water can cause excessive damage to your home or business, especially if they go unnoticed and unchecked for a while.
Signs of Water Damage
Water damage isn’t always obvious, especially if it occurs in an area of your home or business you don’t access often. If you notice any cracks or flaking on your ceiling, that’s one of the first signs of water damage. You may also notice dripping water, dark spots on the walls or floors, and musty odors. If you see mold, that’s another sign you have water damage in your home. Low water pressure and an unusually high water bill can also be signs of a water leak.
What’s Involved in Water Restoration
The steps involved in water restoration are simple, but they must be performed quickly and correctly to avoid long-term damage and mold buildup. This is what you can expect your water restoration professionals to do for you:
- Inspection of damage.
- Removal of standing water.
- Drying and dehumidification.
- Cleaning and sanitation.
- Repair and restoration.
First, you need to stop water from coming into your home. After inspecting the extent of the damage, your restoration professionals will use industrial vacuums or submersible pumps to remove the standing water from your home.
The next step includes drying and dehumidifying your home. Then, you need to clean and sanitize any items that need to remain at home. The last step is the repair and restoration of the ceiling, walls, and floors. Working with an experienced professional ensures your home and belongings are properly dried and restored or repaired.
Who to Call for Water Damage Restoration
If you live in Williamsburg, Virginia, or on the Virginia peninsula, our team at Steamatic will respond immediately to your water emergency. It’s important to act fast to prevent additional damage. Our water restoration professionals are here to mitigate the effects of flooding on your home or business.
