5 Steps to Take After Finding Water Damage in Your Home

12/23/2022 (Permalink)

5 Steps to Take After Finding Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage is an unfortunate reality in many homes. It can happen through a number of sources, such as a broken pipe in the wall or roof or even from flooding or heavy rains. If you've found water damage in your home, it's important that you act quickly to prevent further damage and minimize the long-term cost of restoring your house to its former condition.

1. Stop the Water

As soon as you notice water damage, you should immediately shut off the water supply to your home. This will prevent further damage and make it easier to clean up after the flood has been contained.

If you aren't sure how to shut off the water supply in your house, contact SERVPRO of South Redlands/Yucaipa to help you with this step. 

If you can't find where the leak is coming from (and this is especially true if it's happening in an area that isn't visible), call a professional! They'll have equipment that can detect even tiny leaks from pipes that weren't visible before they got wet.

2. Call Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance company as soon as you notice water damage in your home. You may need to file a claim and submit the necessary paperwork, which will be handled by your insurance company. If you do not file a claim, you could be liable for the damages if it turns out that there was a leaky pipe or faucet in your home.

Your insurance company will guide you through the process of filing an insurance claim and help mitigate any costs incurred from repairing or replacing damaged property items such as carpeting, walls, countertops, and appliances.

3. Protect Yourself and Your Family

Water damage can be devastating to your home and family. Here are some tips on how to protect your family after a water damage event:

First, turn off the power. If you have any appliances that use electricity, such as your dishwasher or washing machine, be sure to turn them off at the wall. Next, wear protective gear. Water damage can cause harmful mold to grow on your walls and floors if it's left untreated. To prevent this, wear a mask and gloves when cleaning up the mess. Protect your valuables by moving them out of the affected area and into a clean spot in your home. Don’t disturb visible mold until you know what kind of mold it is! If you’re not sure whether or not it’s harmful, check with an expert before touching it or removing it from your home.

4. Assess the Damage

Assessing the damage is the next step in determining how to proceed with repairs. The following are some general guidelines for assessing damages:

• Determine if there is standing water or a full-scale flood
• Check for mold growth and mildew
• Check for structural damage such as cracked drywall or floors buckling upwards

5. Call a Professional Water Damage Restoration Company

After you have found the source of water damage in your home, it is time to call a professional water damage restoration company. The main reason that you should call a professional to handle this kind of job is because they have the equipment and training necessary to do the job right. They can also get your home dried out much faster than you could do it yourself, and this will help prevent mold from forming.

A professional company will be able to help with insurance claims as well.

If you’ve found water damage in your Yucaipa, CA home, don’t panic! With these five steps, you can take care of the problem and prevent further damage. Following them will make the process easier for everyone involved. Our SERVPRO team is always on standby and ready to assist you with your water mitigation and restoration needs!