What to Do When You Need Fast and Reliable Water Damage Cleanup

The best thing you can do when you notice water damage is to act quickly. Within just an hour, mold can start to grow, and structural issues may develop.

Category 1 or clear water comes from a clean source and poses no immediate health risks; it costs the least to dry out and repair. Category 2 or gray water contains detergents, laundry products, and food particles; it poses a slight health risk and will cost more to treat. Call Salt Lake City Water Damage Restoration professionals right away.

Turn Off the Water

If you’re able to do so safely, locate your home’s shut-off valve and turn it off to minimize damage and prevent costly repairs. If you can’t find the valve, try opening a hose bib next to your master shut-off valve or test a working supply or fixture in your house.

Once you’ve turned off the water, assess the damage. Look for standing water, puddles, and mold, and check for any electrical hazards like outlets or lights that may have come in contact with the water. It’s also important to remove furniture from wet rooms, as leaving it there can cause wood rot and mold growth and reduce airflow, leading to additional problems. You should also cover furniture in plastic and hang drapes and upholstered items up on coated hangers to avoid moisture damage. You should also turn off any power to these areas. This can help prevent electric shock and fires.

Soak Up as Much Water as You Can

Flood water is a hazard that can carry bacteria, dirt, chemicals, and other contaminants. Ingesting flood water or even touching contaminated materials can lead to serious illness. Standing water in a flooded home also poses an electrocution risk, as electrical outlets and appliances may still be live and energized.

If you’re able to do so, soak up as much of the floodwater as possible before it can cause more damage. If the contaminated floodwater has reached your drywall, you may need to punch holes in it to prevent structural issues and mold growth.

A wet-dry vacuum is a great way to get rid of excess water on floors and carpets. You can also use large towels to blot drywall, wood, and other porous surfaces. If your drywall is too damaged to save, you’ll need to replace it. Lastly, be sure to set up fans and dehumidifiers to help remove moisture from the air and prevent further problems.

Air Out the Space

It’s important to air out the area as much as possible, especially if there are any contents in the affected structure. This process can take a while, so it’s best to start doing it as soon as you can (as long as the space is safe). This will help prevent mold and mildew from forming in the future and will also speed up the drying process.

Documentation is one of the most effective ways to capture damage, and it’s important to begin this as soon as it’s safe to do so. Make sure to use a camera or smartphone with a high resolution to capture clear, detailed images. Use wide shots to show the damage in its entirety and close-ups for specific areas of concern. Ensure that the device’s timestamp is enabled to authenticate the date and time of each photograph or video.

Document the Damage

Whether it’s a minor leak from a toilet or severe flood damage, effective documentation is essential for insurance claims and restoration processes. By taking detailed photographs, creating an inventory of items affected, identifying the source of water intrusion, recording expenses and communications, and using moisture meters, you can prepare a comprehensive damage report that streamlines the repair process.

Be sure to take high-resolution, well-lit photos of the damage, including wide shots and close-ups. A narrated video can also help explain what happened and demonstrate the scope of the problem. Don’t throw away any broken components or scraps until an insurer or loss assessor inspects them.

Documenting the damage may seem like a hassle, but it can save you money in the long run by helping you get your claim approved and paid out quickly. A professional can also help you prepare the necessary paperwork and negotiate with your insurance adjuster.

Call Your Insurance Company

It may seem counterintuitive, but you should wait for an insurance adjuster to scope out the water damage before making any permanent repairs. This allows the adjuster to see exactly what was damaged by the water, ensuring they cover all necessary expenses.

It’s also a good idea to make a list of all damaged items and any lost contents, as well as to document the extent of the damage with photos and videos. This will help the insurance company process your claim more quickly and thoroughly.

A reputable restoration service will use professional-grade equipment like air movers, dehumidifiers, and moisture meters to dry the affected space in a way that household fans and shop vacuums cannot. They can also identify the source of the water and fix it before it leads to recurring issues and costly repairs. They’ll also work to mitigate and limit structural damage, mold growth, and other potential problems.

Hire a Professional

The right water damage restoration company will use special equipment to dry out the affected areas. They will also disinfect and sanitize anything that came into contact with the water. This might include washing and drying furniture, removing and cleaning electronics, and sanitizing walls and floors.

The company will also inspect the area and determine the source of the water. It is important to fix the cause of the water intrusion in order to prevent future problems.

The faster the water is removed, the less damage will occur. Hiring a professional can save you time and money, as well as prevent additional problems from occurring in your home. A qualified company will follow IICRC protocol to remove moisture, prevent mold growth, and get the home back to normal as quickly as possible.