Do you know what steps to take when you experience water damage in your home? At BioTek Environmental Inc., we understand that water damage can be an overwhelming and stressful experience for any homeowner. Whether it’s due to a weather event like flooding, a plumbing issue, burst pipes, sewer backups, or an appliance malfunction, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your property and ensure the source of the water damage is addressed quickly and correctly. Keep in mind that mold can start growing about 24 hours after any size of water damage in your home. And as we have mentioned in a previous article, sometimes water damage may not be visible immediately, as a result, it can cause wood rot and costly structural damage which can take time to repair.
What is Water Damage?
Water damage to your home is the result of water entering your home and damaging materials such as walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture. It can be caused by burst pipes, heavy rains, flooding, or sewage backups. Water damage can be costly to repair and can create a major disruption in your family’s daily life.
Common water damage repairs include replacing drywall, flooring, furniture, and appliances. In addition to the financial cost, water damage can cause a variety of health issues if it is not addressed quickly, including mold and mildew growth.
What to Do If You Have Water Damage in Your Home
By following the steps we have outlined below, you can minimize the damage and ensure a successful water damage restoration process.
Stop the Water and Turn Off the Electricity
The first thing you should do is turn off the water source of the leak or flooding if possible. If the leak is coming from a broken pipe, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve.
It’s also important to turn off the electrical power to the affected areas of your home. However, do not attempt to do so if you need to enter an area where there is water damage or if you are not sure if there is any. This should be left to your electrician. Also, please be aware that you do not enter your flood-damaged home before the electricity is turned off. It’s vital that you do not endanger your health and safety.
Assess the Water Damage
Once the water source is stopped and the danger of electrocution is dealt with, you should take a few minutes to assess the extent of the damage. Make sure to take pictures and document any damage that you can see. This will help your insurance company process your claim and provide you with the right coverage.
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the damage in order to determine if it is covered by your policy and how much they will offer you. By documenting and taking photos of your water-damaged home and items, you can help the adjuster determine the value of your water damage.
Call a Local Professional Water Damage Restoration Service
You should contact a professional water damage restoration company like BioTek Environmental Inc. as soon as possible. Our technicians will assess the damage, extract the water, and start the drying and restoration process. They will also be able to recommend any additional steps you may need to take to avoid further damage.
At BioTek, our water damage repair team is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Therefore, we will have someone on-site at your property to assess and begin restoration within 2 hours of your call to us. By having a crew on-site quickly and handling the water damage repair in accordance with proven industry standards, the cost of mitigation is minimized. Additionally, the potential for mold growth is eliminated.
Remove Contaminated or Water-Damaged Items
It is essential to identify any items that may have been water-damaged and remove them immediately in order to prevent further damage. It is also important to think ahead and discard any items that may not be salvageable or have already sustained extensive water damage. All contaminated or severely damaged items should be properly disposed of in accordance with local regulations. It is also highly recommended to have a professional restoration team come in to assess the damage and provide proper advice on how to safely remove and discard any contaminated items, including furniture, carpets, and other porous items.
Dry the Water Damaged Area
Professional water damage restoration teams that deal with water damage typically use a combination of techniques to successfully dry out the affected areas. Our teams will first use specialized equipment to remove the excess water and debris. Then, they use dehumidifiers and fans to reduce the humidity and speed up the drying process. We may also use thermal imaging technology to locate any hidden moisture that may be present. Finally, specialized drying techniques may be used such as vacuum freezing or sublimation drying to ensure that the area is completely dry. This will help prevent mold and mildew from forming and ensure that all the moisture is removed from the area.
Clean the Water Damaged Area
Once the area is completely dry, our professional water damage restoration team will clean the area to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may have accumulated during the drying process. The damaged or contaminated materials are removed, including carpets, drywall, insulation, and other affected materials. The remaining structure is then disinfected and sanitized. After sanitizing, the area is wiped down and dried, and then sealed with an antimicrobial solution to prevent mold growth. If mold is present, the affected area is treated with specialized mold-killing products, and the area is then dried and sealed. Finally, the area is restored, including repairs to drywall, painting, and any other necessary repairs.
Monitor the Affected Area
After the water damage restoration process is complete, you should monitor the area for a few days to ensure that all the moisture has been removed. If you notice any signs of mold or mildew, contact our professional water damage restoration team immediately to prevent further damage.
Contact BioTek Environmental for Professional Water Damage Restoration
We hope these steps will help you avoid issues more serious water damage issues. You can depend on Biotek Environmental, Inc. to provide you with professional water damage restoration services in Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg, SC. We can give you peace of mind, and also save you money on water damage and flood repair. We will work diligently to protect your home and family from the serious health risks of water damage. Call us toll-free at 866-630-7340 any time of the day or night, 365 days a year, or contact us online now.
We have been providing water damage restoration and emergency water damage repairs since 2007. Our crews handle water damage repair in accordance with proven industry standards. Don’t choose any Remediation or Restoration Company that does not provide a legitimate bumper-to-bumper warranty on all their services! We offer some of the best and most comprehensive 30-Year warranties in the Industry.
