Our homes are an oasis from the outside world, but sometimes the outside world works its way in. Despite the best efforts to ensure everything is weather-tight and secure, sometimes the unexpected happens, and you have water damage. If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t fret! This simple yet effective checklist will get you to a house you can call home again — without water damage.
While no list is comprehensive, use this as a great start to get your home dried out and feeling like your own again in no time. For more help with the restoration process, don’t hesitate to call the restoration experts. At Anderson Restoration, our specialty is helping homeowners get their houses back to working order after water damage and other mishaps.
Call home restoration experts for a consultation.
Your home restoration expert will need to assess the level and type of damage caused — that’s why a home visit is a crucial part of the process. From there, you’ll be able to work together to find a solution that fits your needs and budget. At Anderson Restoration, we place your particular situation into one of the three types of water damage:
- Category 1: No harmful pathogens or minor leaks from small appliances like a sink or pipe.
- Category 2: Serious pathogen risk, gray water from toilets or washing machines.
- Category 3: The most dangerous health risk is blackwater flooding, usually from hurricanes or other natural disasters.
New water damage will be a dark, wet spot, while new water damage is often lighter in color and “mushy” to the touch. Ascertaining the age of the damage helps your restoration expert figure out the best course of action.
From there, we’ll go over your options with you, and while these things often take time to get under control, you’ll breathe easy knowing help is on the way. In the meantime, turn off the power, wear protective gear, and stay calm.
Look for mold
Mold is a clear indicator that you have water damage. Some might be surface-level and easy enough to clean with household supplies, but if it’s deeply embedded into your carpets or walls, you’ll need professional assistance.
You can easily see or even smell mold (it’s an unmistakable, musty scent that you might be more prone to notice if you have allergies or other respiratory conditions). It’s also more dangerous for those with similar health concerns like asthma, but you’ll want to get it taken care of quickly and accurately. The CDC says mold is bad for anyone’s health, citing proof of worsening upper respiratory conditions — so it’s not something you’ll want to play fast and loose with.
Keep track of all affected areas
Part of the restoration process involves damage mapping— when the restoration experts go through your home with moisture sensors and probes to ensure that all wet areas are detected. One of the many things you can expect after a water damage restoration call, this mapping helps us help you get back to living without moldy pathogens putting your family’s health at risk. Also, during this process, you can help by directing us to pay special attention to any problem areas you’ve noticed.
Ask your insurance agency for a quote
As with all things in life, unexpected situations also come with unforeseen costs. Ask around once you have a sense of your restoration needs so you can plan for the finances you’ll need to get the job done.
Dry out your home the best you can
This is where fans and open windows are your best bet. Do anything you can to increase ventilation and airflow as the freshly-cleaned and repaired surfaces air out and get back to their former glory. It’s also crucial to dry out everything before repairs can happen. Otherwise, you’d just seal old moisture under new hard floors, setting yourself up for more mold and pathogen risk in the future. If you decide to enlist the help of the experts at Anderson Restoration, we will dry out any water that can’t be directly removed.
Relocate (at least for a little while)
While no one likes the idea of leaving home for any extended period of time (unless it’s for a much-needed vacation), sometimes category three water damage or other catastrophes dictate just that. Remember that your home will be whole again, and while this may be an emotional process, restoration and repair is worth it.
If not for the basic functioning of your household, it’s also crucial to ensure your family’s air quality and health are where they should be. Here at Anderson Restoration, we understand this can be a stressful time for all involved and will work with you to ensure you know your options before we begin the restoration process.
Limit future humidity
To prevent future issues with mold or dampness in your home, take the time to assess your living habits. For example, are you a fan of hot showers that create a lot of steam? Make sure your bathroom is well-ventilated to give the water droplets a way of escape. Of course, not every habit can be changed, but it’s an excellent place to start when you want to prevent future water damage from occurring. Think about the common causes of mold growth, and go from there.
No matter what level of water damage your home has sustained, Anderson Restoration has your family covered for your restoration needs. Reach out to any of our restorations experts today for a consultation so we can help you get back to doing what you do best.
