Do's and Don’ts of Emergency Water Damage

8/2/2022 (Permalink)

When it comes to water damage in your home or business, it’s best to leave the project to trained professionals.

Today’s DIY culture makes sense when it comes to learning nifty home project tips on decorating or remodeling. When it comes to water damage, however, it’s best to leave the project to trained professionals. If you attempt to fix the damage yourself, you could make costly mistakes. Here are a few dos and don’ts you CAN follow when it comes to water damage.

Do

• Shut off your water source right away. This way you can prevent an excessive amount of damage before it continues.
• Take as many pictures as possible. By taking more pictures, you help prove to your insurance company the extent of the damage to your home and personal belongings. Another tip to prove the date of damage is to place the current dated newspaper in the video or picture frame.
• Contact your insurance company and file a claim. Using the photos, you can help access any potential coverage.
• Remove as much water as you can. Do your best to avoid causing secondary water damage in this process. This could be electrical, structural, or material damage.
• Call SERVPRO immediately. SERVPRO of Henry and Randolph Counties takes pride in earning many certifications related to water damage and restoration. The SERVPRO team is here to help cleanup and restore from your water damage.

Don’t

• Call an unlicensed contractor. This is not the time for a shortcut. Reach out to an experienced professional with the tools and resources you need.
• Walk or tread through the water damage. For safety reasons, avoid this as there could be potential electrical exposure.
• Assume you have removed all the water and dried it. Call SERVPRO of Henry and Randolph Counties for a moisture check since it’s impossible to detect remaining water without specialized tools.
• Turn on the lights. Ensure the light’s globe is not full of water or the fixture is not dripping. This could lead to further damage.
• Start removing materials such as flooring or drywall. If you attempt to remove it before it is approved by insurance, it may not be covered. Much of these materials can be saved through the detailed cleanup and restoration process.

Fixing the damage on your own is not an easy feat and often leads to extensive damage. If you find yourself in the thick of water damage, contact SERVPRO of Henry and Randolph Counties. SERVPRO is faster to any disaster and can make it, “Like it never even happened.”