RestoreDamage.com

What To Do When You Find Damage

There are basically four important steps that you should do when you find water damage.

Step 1. Think of safety first

Step 2. Protect and secure property from damage.

Step 3. Assess the extent of damage.

Step 4. Proceed to structural stabilization procedures.

5.1 STEP 1. Think of safety first.

Steps in neutralizing water-related hazards:

1. Find out if your property is structurally safe to enter.

Most often than not, water damage cause some parts of the building or house to sag. It is important that you determine if your house is safe to enter before you do. Take a look at the ceiling and supporting walls and make sure that these are not sagging at all.

2. Turn off the power supply.

Disable the main circuit breaker panel of your house even if the power grid is down. It pays to thin k of safety first at all times. Avoid using any electrical appliances in removing excess water from your house. When using generator, make sure that you do not run it is an enclosed area.

3. Turn off the gas supply.

It is always a safe practice to shut off the gas supply lines even if there is no evidence of leak. You can also check out for the odor of gas, but then it is advisable to shut off the main gas valve.

4. Turn off the water supply.

It is important to turn off the water supply when you find water damage in your house. The main water valve is usually located in the basement, but it is vital that you know where it is exactly located in your house. If you cannot turn off the water supply yourself, do not hesitate to call for a plumber.

5. Watch out for stray pets and other animals.

Stay pets may have taken shelter in your house after being displaced by the water. Be careful with any approaching animal. If there are animals that you cannot handle, call your local animal control officer for assistance.

6. Do not forget to wear protective gear.

Usually in water damage situations, water is contaminated with debris, sewage, and other health hazards. As such, it is advisable to wear protective gear to protect yourself during clean-up.
Fig.10. Protective gear

Fig.10. Protective gear

Protective gear:

Plastic gloves
Full body clothing or overalls
Respirator with a particulate filter
Head gear
Goggles
Rubber boots or foot coverings

5.2. STEP 2. Protect and secure property from further damage.

While it is important to dry out your property, security is equally important as well. Make sure that you lock and secure your property when not occupied. Alarms may malfunction and may not actually work at all as you cut off power supply. Take other measures necessary to secure your property.

Important valuables that you need to secure:

Money
Credit cards
Checkbooks
Jewelry
Personal accounts
Items with sentimental value
Antiques

Preventing Water Damage in the Basement

Areas in the basement where moisture is most likely to creep in:

pipes
foundations
openings through the basement

How to prevent water damage in the basement:

Make sure that all pipes are properly insulated.
Keep your basement cool and dry.
Regularly check your foundations for damages that need repair.
Keep your foundations safe from soil erosion.

Preventing Water Damage in the laundry Room

The laundry room is definitely one of the places in the house where moisture is most likely to be present. However, there are some ways to prevent the impeding of moisture in the laundry room.
What to check in the laundry room:

utility sink
hose and filters
dryer

How to prevent water damage in the laundry room:

Never leave your washing machine on when nobody is at home.
Always unclog the drain with a drain opener.
Make sure that the hoses are shut off when not in use.
Ensure that the area behind the washing machine is dry after using.
Seal up properly all hoses connecting the dryer and the washing machine.
Always clean out the dryer lint trap after every load

Invisible Causes of Water Damage

1. Heating and Air Conditioning Systems

Molds and other water-borne biological growth are most often caused by moist and dusty cooling ducts. The improper maintenance of service air conditioners leads to higher operating costs, poor performance, and moisture problems.

2. Basements

The accumulations of moisture dripping through concrete foundations most frequently results to a damp basement. Indoor humidity is increased as moisture evaporates even if there is no visible leak around. Condensation on the cold concrete walls and floors is also another common cause most especially during humid months.

3. Plumbing

Leaks usually develop due to pipe joint, and hose attachment failures that may result out of the installation of plumbing fixtures.

4. Weather

The unpredictable summer storms, water-accompanied disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, and blizzards, and floods are some of the reasons for water damage.

5. Appliances

Appliances like washers, water heaters, and dryers tend to rust and eventually crack over time. When this happens, water is allowed to drip out. Appliances can leak slowly or severely depending on the type of damage that it sustained.

6. Pipes

Blocked drains and toilets, roots in sewer lines, stoppages of garbage disposals, and deterioration and failure of water lines are some of the most common pipe problems that contribute to water damage.