One of the most unexpected events that occur to homes is flooding, which can cause a significant amount of damage and make it difficult to inhabit the property. If you have a lot of water that has accumulated in your home due to a storm or a broken pipe, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here’s a step-by-step guide to water extraction and home restoration to reverse the damage.
Proceed with Caution
Evaluate the interior of your home to determine if it’s safe as you proceed with caution. Severe flooding can cause damage to the structural supports in the building, which can make it at risk of collapsing. Check to see if the roofline is sagging or if the exterior of the house looks like it’s swaying. Look for any cracks that may be present on the outside of the building.
Use caution while walking through the inside of the building because there can be a lot of debris present in the water.
File an Insurance Claim
If the water damage was caused due the weather or issues with your plumbing design, file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance. This can allow you to save a lot of money and determine the source of the water because not all types of water damage are always covered by insurance policies. Take pictures and document the damage to strengthen your claim.
Remove the Standing Water
Start removing the standing water that has accumulated by using wet vacs and pumps. This will allow you to remove thousands of gallons of water within a few hours and can minimize the extent of the damage if you act fast enough.
Professionals from a company that performs water damage restoration in Denver can also clean up the affected materials and determine what can be salvaged. They’re also qualified to inspect for mold and mildew that may be lurking in different spots of the home and take the necessary steps to remove the materials that have been affected.
Start the Drying Process
Once you remove all of the water in the building, it’s time to allow everything to dry. Wood and drywall materials that are porous can begin warping, breaking, and swelling, making it necessary to rely on professional equipment to thoroughly dry everything. Using professional dehumidifiers can remove all of the moisture that is present in the air and can expedite the process to minimize the amount of damage that develops. If you use professional equipment, it can reduce the risk of damage to the structural integrity of the building.
Fans can be placed in different areas of the home to circulate air and help the water evaporate quickly. Place the fans in areas where they’re directed at your carpets, walls, and floor pads.
Keep an Eye on the Water Levels
Clean and sanitize the affected materials to ensure your home is safe to inhabit and doesn’t put your health at risk. This will also remove any lingering odors that can be caused by water that sits for too long. Some people may need to resort to using professional air scrubbers to remove strong odors.
Repair the Damage
Hire a professional to perform an inspection to determine what materials need attention. There may be leaks present on the roof, as well as a new carpet that needs to be installed. This can restore the structural integrity of the building and can prevent the home from losing value.
After you file a claim for the water damage, hire professionals to repair the materials and features on the property to ensure the new materials are installed correctly. This will help you to avoid mistakes and can prevent the final result from looking like a DIY project. Keep all of your receipts to ensure the costs are reimbursed by your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Once you know the right steps to take to remove water that has accumulated in your home, it can be easier to prevent further damage from occurring when water sits for too long. Home restoration performed by professionals can also restore the quality of the building and make it safe to inhabit.
