Water damages are quite common in homes affecting one in 50 homeowners in the United States each year.
It’s no wonder the Insurance Service Office (ISO) ranks them second in the most frequent insurance claims filed.
Like fire, even water can be a bad master when it leaks or spills in your home because of either some freak accident or “plumbing has gone wrong” kind of situation.
You must act quickly before things get out of hand and it becomes an even worse headache than it was in the beginning.
Hire a water damage restoration service to clean up the mess, dry the home, and fix water damage repair issues like burst pipes.
What Causes Water Damage?
You can sometimes tell what started the water damage in your home but sometimes it’s tricky to put your finger on exactly what’s responsible. The following are common causes
- Broken shingles and other roof damage can cause roof or attic leaks when it rains. This causes ceiling water damage.
- Plumbing problems including burst pipes and clogs
- Overflowing toilets or bathtubs
- Any other water source that results in leaks or spills. When this water finds its way to your ceiling or floor, water damage is inevitable.
You are filling the tub but have to leave to tend to a demanding toddler. Water fills and overflows, and before you know it’s everywhere.
This is easy to identify and put right. However, if a pipe behind one of the walls develops cracks and starts to leak, it might take time before you realize something isn’t working as it should.
Always check the ceiling, wall, and furnace for signs like
- Spots and stains – they can be yellow, brown, or copper-colored
- Bubbles forming on the ceiling or cracks
- Paint peeling off the walls or ceiling
- Sagging ceiling and dry walls
If the water damage continues unchecked, you will notice mold or mildew forming where the damage has occurred.
Read Also:
Step 1. Identify and Stop
Track the water leakage to its source and put a stop to the cause. You can use Band-Aids like a tarp to cover leaks.
Sometimes you might need to change how the plumbing was laid or use alternate landscaping solutions but you need a professional for this.
If it can’t be fixed with a simple procedure, shut the water until it’s repaired.
Step 2. Cleaning and Drying
Standing water is dangerous to walk around so that’s always the most important thing to correct.
A wet and dry vacuum can help remove some overflowing water but if it’s extensive, wait for the industrial water extractor equipped to deal with such volumes of water.
Cleaning is also important if flooding is a result of natural disasters because the water in these cases is mixed with mud and debris.
Step 3. Dehumidify
When you remove the standing water, residual moisture remains and must be dried out. You can rent a dehumidifier to ensure no more moisture lingers.
Moisture encourages the growth of mold and other bacteria, which pose a health risk to you and your family.
Step 4. Sanitize Affected Areas
Sanitizing the area helps to remove any contaminants that may have formed due to standing water or brought by the water that flooded from your toilet.
Use industrial and commercial cleaners and sanitizers to be as effective as possible.
Step 5. Repair, Restore, Prevent
All affected areas like the carpeting or flooring can be replaced or cleaned if the damage isn’t so bad.
You may require the application of a fresh coat of paint on your wall or replace some badly damaged sections.
Overall, make any changes required to avoid future damage. For example, if you need new plumbing, don’t skip it because, over time, the constant repairs might cost you even more.
Hire Water Damage Restoration Services in Atlanta, GA!
When water damage occurs in your home, you’ve very little time to act. If you don’t act quickly, you could be dealing with a bigger problem like mold growth and further damage to your home.
You want to remove the water, clean the home, and dry the surfaces. You also want to repair the issue causing water damage whether a burst pipe or backing sewerage.
Contact Service Restoration Atlanta for emergency water restoration services. We offer 24/7 emergency water damage restoration to help protect your home or business. Our IIRC-certified technicians ensure quality services.
Visit https://servicerestoration.com/atlanta-ga/ to find out more about our water damage restoration services.
