Water Damage! What Do I Do With My Soggy Stuff?

7/24/2018 (Permalink)

A burst pipe? A broken sump pump? Now what?

We’ve all had it happen sometime in our lives. You walk into your basement after a rainstorm, check on that dripping sound coming from the kitchen, or go see why that odd noise is coming from the laundry machine and there it is: water flooding into your home. Sometimes the cause is obvious: a pipe leaks, a nasty flood outside creeps under a doorway, or the dishwasher starts pouring water onto the hardwood floor. However, something seemingly innocuous can lead to heavy damage as well. Areas prone to collecting water, like crawlspaces and basements, can slowly build up moisture and become a breeding ground for mold. Water damage, if not taken care of promptly, can lead to major catastrophes for home owners: mold can lead to health problems (death in the most extreme cases), furniture and other belongings can become permanently damaged, and even the foundation of a building can be weakened. If you’re concerned about any belongings stored in places prone to water damage, you can always place them in plastic bins. Make sure they’re elevated so that water coming in can’t reach them. Your items might seem safe in a basement, crawl space, or attic, but leaks and floods happen. Preventative measures can save you time, money, and stress.

 So, what can you do about water damage? First and foremost, you should take lots of pictures and contact your insurance agency. They’ll want to see what happened before you’ve intervened to determine your coverage. The next step might seem obvious, but you should dry the area as much as possible. Mop it, lay towels on the area, do whatever you can to absorb as much water as possible, but avoid using electronic appliances. While this can help, water can seep into drywall, the floor, and other permeable objects. If this is the case, you’ll need to remove and replace these damaged areas. Sometimes it can be difficult to know just how much water has spread, as it can travel through floors and walls. A damp or moldy smell is a strong indicator that water seeped into the area, but you can also use a moisture meter, which you can buy online or at your local hardware store, to find areas that have been saturated. Of course, your local SERVPRO of Glenview can efficiently and effectively remove odors, damaged areas, and tough-to-get mold, leaving you safe and worry-free.