What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Water Enters Your Home

What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Water Enters Your Home

When water enters your house, it represents an unforeseen nightmare for all owners. Whether due to a broken pipe, appliance failure, flooding from rainfall, or broken sewer lines, the first 24 hours of responding to a request for restoration of water in your home are the most important to minimize damage to your property and encourage safe repairs. For owners of property that sustain Water Damage in Fort Collins, knowing what to do immediately while preventing further issues will keep your home structurally sound and minimize damage.

Due to the frequency of sudden storms causing flooding to properties, as well as frozen pipes and plumbing problems in Fort Collins, homeowners need to take immediate and correct action. This blog shows you the correct steps to take immediately following the entry of water into your house, while allowing you to maintain your safety and avoid long-term damage to your home.

Establish Safety First & Shut Off Power

When water ingresses your home such that it reaches electrical outlets, equipment, or breaker panels in the ingressed area, do not go into that area. The presence of water in an area where there is electrical power becomes a life-threatening risk. Water is a conductor of electricity, which then creates a very high risk to life.

If you can safely operate your electrical system, turn the electrical power off at the breaker to the electrical circuits impacted by the water, thereby keeping you safe and creating a safe work area to complete the restoration. This is the first action related to Water Damage Restoration in Fort Collins you should take to begin to restore your home safely.

Limit Your Exposure to Contaminated Water

There are different types of water; some are “clean” or potable, and some are “contaminated.” In the event of contaminated water (such as flood or raw sewage), there is an increased risk of transfer of harmful bacteria and/or chemicals from the contaminated water to your body. The health risk will increase tremendously if you are exposed to contaminated water versus “clean” water.

Do not directly touch the standing water until it has been tested. If the water comes from an unknown location, then consider the source as contaminated and get help from an experienced company that specializes in Water Damage Restoration Fort Collins.

Stop the Water Source from Its Point of Origin

To stop the flow of water, you need to turn off the valve that supplies the water. If you know that water has come into contact with your plumbing system (that is, if the damage was caused by a plumbing leak or problem), immediately turn off the main valve to your house to prevent additional flooding.

Taking action to stop the flow of water not only prevents additional damage from occurring but also may help make the entire cleanup process safer and less complicated.

Temporarily Repair Any Leaks That Are Coming From Your Roof Or Exterior

If you have a roof leak or if you have water entering your home from outside, you may be able to make temporary repairs using tarps, plastic sheeting, or other protective coverings, depending upon the current weather.

These temporary solutions may help minimize the amount of damage to your home while waiting for permanent repairs to be made or for a professional restoration company to perform its work for you.

Document the Damaged Area Immediately

As soon as it is safe to do so, take photographs and/or video of any visible damage (including standing water). Take photos of damaged walls, flooring, furniture, and personal property.

Having these records will help you file your claim with your insurance company and give the professionals who will help you assess the extent of the damage in Fort Collins that you experienced.

Keep a Record of Your Action(s)

Write down the date that you discovered the water damage, how you found the damage, and what action(s) you took to address the problem. This will help you with your claim and restoration plan.

Having proper documentation will expedite the recovery process and prevent delays from occurring for any reason.

Remove Standing Water As Quickly As Possible

If you feel okay doing so, you can use mops, wet vacuums, or towels to remove small amounts of water. The sooner you are able to remove standing water, the less damage will be done to your building materials.

If you leave standing water without treatment, you increase the risk of mold and structural deterioration.

Be Aware of When to Call in the Pros

If you experience a substantial amount of flooding or hidden moisture, chances are that your efforts to save your property and belongings will be insufficient and ineffective. Instead, you’ll want to do a quick search online for Water Damage Restoration Near Me. This will lead you to professionals who have specialized tools and equipment to create an industrial-grade extraction of all water from your home.

Water removal can usually be done quickly and safely by professional Water Damage Repair Fort Collins technicians.

Thoroughly Dry Out Affected Areas to Improve Airflow

If the weather allows, you should open all windows and doors as much as possible and turn on fans to circulate as much air through your home as you can. Dehumidifiers will be especially helpful in drawing moisture from the air.

The drying that begins immediately after the water has been removed is considered a critical component to the ultimate success of preventing secondary damage.

Keep an Eye Out For Hidden Moisture

Hidden moisture is typically found behind walls, under floor coverings, and within insulation. If there are hidden pockets of moisture, then it’s likely that one or more of these hidden areas will grow mold unless addressed correctly.

The use of professional drying equipment will allow technicians to address all levels of moisture saturation throughout the home.

Protect Your Belongings and Furniture

It’s important to remove all of your furniture, rugs, and personal belongings from any area that is wet as soon as you are able to do so. If you put blocks or foil under the legs of items that are made of wood, that will help prevent them from becoming warped and stained.

The earlier you are able to separate your salvageable items, the lower your potential losses will be and the faster you’ll have your items returned to you.

Do Not Dispose of Damaged Items Until Given the Go-Ahead by the Insurance Company

You shouldn’t discard any damaged items until you’ve been instructed to do so by your insurance company or a restoration specialist. Some of your damaged items may be restorable, and you may be asked to provide documentation for your insurance claim related to water damage in Fort Collins.

Look for Smell & Signs of Wetness

If you are smelling a musty odor or have a high humidity reading, you should consider that you may have wet areas somewhere behind walls or ceilings. By taking care of these indicators as soon as possible, you can greatly reduce the amount of work needed for repairs in the future.

Water Damage Restoration Service in Fort Collins is provided through a restoration process to help you stop mold growth from happening.

Contact Your Insurance Company & Notify Them Immediately About Water Damage

Call your insurance company to let them know that you have sustained water damage and gather as much documentation on the issue as possible. The sooner you report damage, the more likely the claim process will not be delayed. Ask your insurance provider about the terms of extraction of water, drying, repairs, or temporary housing.

Insurers may require you to complete additional inspections or documentation for whatever work is done on the property that resulted from water damage. A qualified water damage restoration company in Fort Collins is familiar with the insurance claims process, making it easier for your insurance company.

Work with a Professional Disaster Recovery Company

Professionals look at water damage like experts and can find multiple areas of moisture, in addition to using thermal imaging cameras and professional drying systems to dry all areas of moisture that are out of view. Professionals ensure that the restoration of your home is done safely.

Choose a Local Provider in the Fort Collins Area

Local service providers are aware of the local risks and how the structure of your home is likely to react; if you search “Water Damage Repair Fort Collins,” you will find multiple service providers that can respond immediately with telephone numbers to call for assistance.

Fast response time is the key to taking care of any water damage in the first 24 hours.

Never Ignore Water Damage Signs & Act Immediately

Water damage can occur quickly when you do not act quickly; during the first 24 hours, you should be aware of all issues that could add risk of injury due to water intrusion and make sure to identify the source of water and dry everything possible to reduce the risk of further damage and to immediately contact a professional. The time spent at the beginning will greatly reduce future damage to your home.

Homeowners who quickly respond to water damage will typically have the greatest impact on limiting flooding to their property.

Invictus Restoration Services is a locally owned and operated company providing quick, efficient, and effective water restoration services. If you require emergency restoration services, the staff at Invictus Restoration Services is professionally trained in the use of the latest water damage remediation equipment to deliver top-quality customer service.

If you want fast, effective, and qualified service for your water restoration needs, contact us right away.