How to Deal With Home Water Damage

Water damage can come from almost anywhere, and no home is completely safe from it. Whether your situation arises from external factors (heavy rain) or internal causes (burst pipe), dealing with water damage can be tricky and dangerous.

Follow this step-by-step process to minimize damage and stay as safe as possible.

1. Turn off the power. If you are dealing with a large scale flood, the first thing you should do is head to the circuit breaker and shut off the power in your house to avoid electric shock. This isn't as important with small leaks or floods.

2. Stop the source of water. After disconnecting the power, you need to stop the source of water. Whether it is covering a hole in the roof or foundation, or cutting off the water supply to a burst pipe, do it quickly to minimize damage.

3. Rescue valuable possessions. After the incoming water has been stopped, move quickly to rescue your most valuable possessions. These includes important documents, electronics, or family heirlooms.

4. Ventilate the area. You will want to open up all windows and doors, and get a box fan and exhaust fan running if you have them. This will help eliminate excess moisture from the air and prevent mold.

5. Get rid of standing water. Start working to remove any standing water. Use a mop, wet vac, or blot as much as possible with dry towels. Do not use a dry vac to remove water.

6. Contact a local restoration service. As a homeowner, there is only so much you can do to fix water damage. You should call a professional service immediately in order to minimize damage and protect yourself from mold exposure. We can't stress enough that time is of the essence.

7. Call your insurance company. Get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible to file a claim. Make sure you use the term “water damage” and not “flooding”. They are different, and since most policies don't cover flooding, you could have problems getting reimbursed for expenses.

If you live on Long Island and are dealing with water damage, the experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration can safely restore your home to its previous condition. Call us for a free water damage restoration quote at (631) 940-8100.