Dealing with Water Damage in Residential Properties

Water troubles can come in trickles, or worse, in floods. From plumbing leaks up to flash floods, there are many ways that water damage can seep into your home. Homeowners should not ignore water damage since even the smallest leak or pool of water can usher in effects that can degrade the home like mold.

If you are dealing with water damage in your home, here are some tips you can do in order to lessen or stop its impact:

Detect Pipe Leaks

• In case you suspect a leak, shut off all faucets in the house and then check the meter outside. If the meter is still running, there is a leak in the home.
• If you smell dank odors but you see no pools of water, there is a chance that a pipe is leaking within the walls.
• Try looking for discoloration in the wallpaper or precipitation on the walls.
• Go to the kitchen and then open the cabinets where the pipes are located. Inspect each one for leaks.
• Mold always confirms the presence of moisture. Check the areas around where a mold colony is growing.
• Open your crawlspaces and check for any leaks from the plumbing there.
• If you cannot find the leak, call professionals. They have tools that can tell where a pipe might have sprung a leak even if it is under the floor or inside a wall.

Clean-up Flood

• Shut off all the water going into the house if the flood is caused by burst pipes.
• When the flood level is rising fast, switch off all power going into the house.
• Put your appliances or furniture up tables or chairs. Save important documents by taking them on a higher floor.
• Document the extent of the flooding so you have evidence when you file claims later.
• Extract water with pails and towels after the weather event is over or the cause of the flood has been resolved.
• Remove debris from your home and be wary of pests.
• Do not use electrical appliances and let them dry thoroughly.
• Call your insurance company.

Getting Rid of Mold

• If you notice that an area is wet, dry it thoroughly by using towels. Set up and use fans to dry out the area.
• Remove porous materials from the area like insulation or wooden panels if they are wet.
• Use disinfectants to clean surfaces.
• For large infestations of mold, you will need experts to help you clean them because mold is toxic and will give you respiratory problems if you expose yourself to the spores for a long period.

These tips should help see you through simple instances of water damage. Unfortunately, these steps will not do for more serious instances. Getting professionals like Midwest Remediation to perform water damage restoration is the sure-fire way to totally and conveniently solve the problems posed by water-induced damages. In case you are encountering cases of pipe leaks, flooding, sewage backflows, and mold, you can call Midwest Remediation at (317) 826-0940 for more advice and a free estimate. Feel free to fill out our contact form and we will quickly get back to you.