Five Ways to Survive Water Damage

When your home and belongings are affected by water damage, the last thing you want is to deal with the clean up. Water damage can be expensive, irritating, and just gross, but it can’t be ignored. Here are five strategies you can take to survive and thrive after you’ve been hit by water damage.

1. Figure out the cause and fix it. There can be many possible causes of water damage, each with their own necessary fix. Check for leaks on the roof and have any issues fixed by either a roofer or yourself. Check your gutters regularly and clean out any clogs or blockages. Check your plumbing for leaks on a monthly basis and pay attention to your monthly water usage. A spike in your water usage can indicate a leak. Regularly check areas that are prone to water buildup such as plant pots, vases and jars, and remove any excess water. Check your windows for leaks. You may want to consider installing a sump pump to pump excess water out of your house. You can also install a water leak detection system to quickly identify water leaks in your home. These devices can be installed by plumbers or purchased in home improvement stores and installed yourself.

2. Clean up the water as soon as possible. If you have standing water in your house, you should remove it as soon as possible. Stagnant water can cause a health hazard by providing an environment for bacteria and fungi to grow and thrive in your home. You may pump standing water out with a sump pump, vacuum water from carpet with a Shop-Vac or soak up water with a mop. If the water is in an area of your home with a floor drain, you could push the water into the drain with a floor squeegee. If you’re not confident about removing the water yourself, you can call a professional services company specializing in water damage.

3. Dry all your things, quickly. Quickly dry out your things. Take them to a well-ventilated area, sunlit area, allowing the light and air to help in the drying process. You can also use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from items with water damage. Open all drawers, closets and enclosed areas to allow them to dry out. Make sure that any documents or fragile items are kept in an area with a stable temperature. Any rapid changes in temperature could cause damage to these items.

4. Run a dehumidifier. Running a dehumidifer in the flooded area with help to draw out excess moisture. Humidity in the air itself can also add to the damage within your home, and running a dehumidifier will help to eliminate humidity from the air. Make sure to empty the dehumidifier often so it will keep running.

5. Ventilate the area with the water damage. Open all doors and windows so that air will circulate through the space and the remaining furniture. This will help the items to dry quickly and naturally, mitigating any damage from the water.