If this is the first time you own a house, you will soon learn that your house is vulnerable to water damage. As a homeowner, you need to educate yourself on the causes of water damage so that you know what is causing the flood. You also need to have some basic knowledge on tackling them.
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What are the Causes of Water Damage?
When you first own your home, you will see water damage mostly from rain. After some time, you will start to experience pipe leaking and sewage backup problems. Your appliances will get worn out over time and you will discover puddles on your kitchen floor one day. Air conditioning system is known for leaking water when it is not cleaned. It is recommended that you shut off your central air conditioning to avoid electrocution when you know a storm is approaching. The longer you wait, the more the odds are against you so call Premier Restoration quickly to restore your content.
Is Water Damage an Emergency?
Flooding in the house may not cause any bodily injury but it is to be seen as an emergency. If you ignore water damage, your house structure such as wooden beams will rot and weaken. Someone can get electrocuted if they wade into the water and try to use the outlet in standing water. The valve of your gas tank can become corroded when coming into contact with water. Consequently, gas will start leaking and poison the air in the house. The flood caused by raw sewage backup can spread bacteria and germs which endanger your family’s health. Contacting a professional disaster cleanup assistance is the best way to deal with water damage.
What Actions Should You Take After Water Damage?
When you encounter a flood in your home, the first thing is to go to your electric box and turn off the power to the area that is flooded. After that, you can wade in the water to check where the water is coming from. You can try to turn off the water source or minimize the flow. At this time, don’t proceed to remove water or clean the areas yet. Instead, call your restoration company and have an adjuster come over to assess the situation. To make it easier for the technician to clean up, you can remove all the light items. Items that you cannot move should be left to the professionals. You can try removing some of the water so that the restoration team can finish the cleanup faster.
Does Your Homeowner Insurance Cover Water Damage?
Many homeowner insurance covers water damage if it occurs by accident. For example, your pipe burst for no reason. However, it does not cover flood damage. You will have to purchase a special flood insurance to get coverage for flood damage. The flood insurance policy can cover damages caused by sewer backups, rain, and flood. Usually, the insurance only covers part of the damages so you have to be prepared to pay out some of the damages out of your pocket. There will be unexpected costs, for example, your restoration team is fraud and you need to switch to another company halfway.
Should You Fix Water Damage Yourself?
The small flood that is lower than 2 inches can be taken care of by yourself. You can use a wet/dry vacuum to vacuum up the water and dump the water into the drain outside. When only a little water remains, you can mop them up and then turn on the ceiling fan to dry it. If there is an extensive flood throughout the home, you will need to get a professional water damage professional to help you. Water damage cleanup is not about removing the water and drying the surface. Often, the water will travel to the sub floor which requires you to open up the flooring.