When It Comes To Water Damage, Be Quick
Time is money when it comes to handling water damage. It does not matter if the origin is a flood or just dropping your book in the pool. Speed counts. Hourly that a fluid remains in contact with your property means greater restoration will be required.
True, if the house is under water you have little to do but wait. But once you can get to your property you are able to do some good no matter the damage. Just being there to make choices means you are in control. The least you can do is find the smaller items that you treasure before large scale cleanup begins.
If there is debris in dwelling then remove whatever you feel comfortable moving. You could shovel away mud or sludge. Clear what is blocking access if you can. If professionals are coming then the less they have to do before their expertise is put to use, the more they can save. Sort through what you find at hand but be careful.
The quicker you can remove any moisture from the area, or the article from the water, the greater your opportunity of saving it and cash. If the floor is wet then throw every towel you can grab on it to soak up the water. Stick them in the washer and turn on the spin cycle if you need to try them again. Again, speed is what is required. Every minute moisture is not on the surface counts.
Now that the water has gone, receded or been mopped up, what is the damage. Do you need a professional as the floor was inundated for 2 days? Or, was the sink dragged down and you managed to keep it contained to the bathroom or kitchen. It could be as simple as a devotee or require chemicals and specialized equipment.
If the harm is greater than a soaked paperback or single item and involves structures like furniture or your house, then read your house owners policy and speak with your agent. If you aren’t a demolition expert or a remodeling specialist, then a licensed, bonded and insured restoration professional can be your best bet. But read your policy carefully. It may well cover many of your costs.
Back to the soaked paperback book. Put some paper towels between the pages and turn on the fan. That should dry it. Press it flat with something heavy like a brick or whatever you have that can squash it. A board between the book and weight will keep the book jacket from sticking. Keep the air circulating so if you’re concerned about mold, use an air purifier.
Should the water damage be great and the pros are to do the job, then confer with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed. Really, if the damage is more than a couple of gallons that you are able to mop up quickly or if it concerns your insurance to cover the restoration you will find a specialist is very helpful.
This information is brought to you by Water Damage Phoenix and Flooded Basement Baltimore.
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Tags: home improvement, mold, water damage