Water damage can be one of the most disastrous problems that occur within your home. Whether it was caused by a burst pipe or inclement weather, this situation calls for immediate action. As a homeowner, here are 5 water damage prevention tips you should know to save your home and belongings.
- Turn off water valves immediately.
If the water spill was caused by burst pipes, turn off water valves immediately. You can do this by going to your water meter and turning the handle clockwise slowly until it stops. To ensure a complete drain, open your faucets to drain all excess water left in the water pipes. Also make sure to turn off any water heaters and boilers. - Don’t let water sit in the flooded areas.
After draining your water pipes, drain the area where water has collected. This will prevent water from fully seeping into your floors, walls, and furniture. Use mops or towels to dry the area. You can also use a wet or dry vacuum to thoroughly dry the area. - Dry items immediately.
Prevent mold from developing by also drying wet items or furniture. Remove your carpets or rugs and move them into a dry area with great air circulation. - Let air circulate by opening doors and windows.
To speed up the drying process for the area and your belongings, open doors and windows to let dry air in. You can also use fans to target certain areas and items which might be a conducive place for mold to grow. - Call a water damage company for more serious water damage.
If the water damage has affected hard to reach and dry areas like your ceiling or interior walls, it’s best to contact a water damage and cleanup professional. Having a professional deal with these hard-to-reach flooded areas immediately will help you save a huge sum of renovation fee.
