Difference between revisions of "Deal with Residential Water Damage"
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Water may be essential to human life, but it can spell death for a home. Water damage can cause all sorts of headache for homeowners, both immediately after the damage occurs and in the long run. From floods to leaky faucets, water damage is a serious pain, and can cause major health and safety issues. Follow this guide to stop, repair, and prevent water damage in your home. | Water may be essential to human life, but it can spell death for a home. Water damage can cause all sorts of headache for homeowners, both immediately after the damage occurs and in the long run. From floods to leaky faucets, water damage is a serious pain, and can cause major health and safety issues. Follow this guide to stop, repair, and prevent water damage in your home. | ||
| − | [[Category:Water Damage Restoration]] | + | [[Category: Water Damage Restoration]] |
[[Category:Floods]] | [[Category:Floods]] | ||
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#Stop the flow of water. If the flooding has been caused by a burst pipe or a water heater failure, shut off the main water line for your home. | #Stop the flow of water. If the flooding has been caused by a burst pipe or a water heater failure, shut off the main water line for your home. | ||
#*Get in touch with an expert immediately if you cannot tell where the water is coming from. | #*Get in touch with an expert immediately if you cannot tell where the water is coming from. | ||
| − | #Turn off the power. If your home is flooded, cut off the electricity and gas from the main source. This isn’t as essential for small leaks or puddles, but for large floods turn them off to be safe. <ref>http://www.safeco.com/homeowners-insurance/do-more/what-to-do-after-a-major-water-leak-or-flood</ref> | + | #Turn off the power. If your home is flooded, cut off the electricity and gas from the main source. This isn’t as essential for small leaks or puddles, but for large floods turn them off to be safe. <ref name="rf1">http://www.safeco.com/homeowners-insurance/do-more/what-to-do-after-a-major-water-leak-or-flood</ref> |
#*Do not handle electrical appliances unless you are properly insulated. | #*Do not handle electrical appliances unless you are properly insulated. | ||
#*If you have to stand in water to turn off the main electricity, consult with an electrician. | #*If you have to stand in water to turn off the main electricity, consult with an electrician. | ||
#Assess the damage. Before you begin your cleanup effort, first determine if rebuilding is even a worthwhile option. Take ample photos and other documentation to show the insurance company. | #Assess the damage. Before you begin your cleanup effort, first determine if rebuilding is even a worthwhile option. Take ample photos and other documentation to show the insurance company. | ||
#Rescue your most valuable possessions. If you are able to, find and remove your most important items from the flooded area, such as heirlooms, money, jewelry, etc. Don’t spend too much time extracting and cleaning individual items, as the water is still doing damage to your home. | #Rescue your most valuable possessions. If you are able to, find and remove your most important items from the flooded area, such as heirlooms, money, jewelry, etc. Don’t spend too much time extracting and cleaning individual items, as the water is still doing damage to your home. | ||
| − | #Get rid of standing water. The longer the water sits, the more damage it will cause. As soon as it is safe, pump out any standing water. If you are dealing with a natural flood, wait to pump until the flood waters have receded below your house.<ref>http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/flood_n_sewer_cleanup.htm</ref> | + | #Get rid of standing water. The longer the water sits, the more damage it will cause. As soon as it is safe, pump out any standing water. If you are dealing with a natural flood, wait to pump until the flood waters have receded below your house.<ref name="rf2">http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/flood_n_sewer_cleanup.htm</ref> |
#*Wear proper protective gear. When working in a flooded area, be sure to wear rubber boots, gloves, and a mask or respirator. | #*Wear proper protective gear. When working in a flooded area, be sure to wear rubber boots, gloves, and a mask or respirator. | ||
#*Keep children and pets away from any standing flood water, as it is often contaminated. | #*Keep children and pets away from any standing flood water, as it is often contaminated. | ||
#*Place the pump at the lowest spot of the flooded floor. If the water is deep, you may need to lower the pump using a nylon rope. | #*Place the pump at the lowest spot of the flooded floor. If the water is deep, you may need to lower the pump using a nylon rope. | ||
| − | #*If dealing with a small amount of flooding, you may be able to use a wet-dry shop vacuum to remove the water. These often only hold {{convert|4|-|5|USgal|L|1}}, so you may find yourself emptying it often.<ref>http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pump-water-out-basement-27599.html</ref> | + | #*If dealing with a small amount of flooding, you may be able to use a wet-dry shop vacuum to remove the water. These often only hold {{convert|4|-|5|USgal|L|1}}, so you may find yourself emptying it often.<ref name="rf3">http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pump-water-out-basement-27599.html</ref> |
#Clean up debris. Be careful, as there could be nails and other materials left behind by the flood water. | #Clean up debris. Be careful, as there could be nails and other materials left behind by the flood water. | ||
#*Mud left behind by floods often contain a significant amount of toxins. Shovel out as much mud as possible, and spray down your walls with clean water. Make sure to check for mud in air ducts, as it will be hazardous when it dries. | #*Mud left behind by floods often contain a significant amount of toxins. Shovel out as much mud as possible, and spray down your walls with clean water. Make sure to check for mud in air ducts, as it will be hazardous when it dries. | ||
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===Vanquishing Mold and Mildew=== | ===Vanquishing Mold and Mildew=== | ||
#Detect the mold. Mold can be visible, but it can also grow in air ducts, crawlspaces, rafters, and between walls. If you can’t see any mold, but you detect a noticeable musty earth smell, you most likely have mold growth that you can’t see. | #Detect the mold. Mold can be visible, but it can also grow in air ducts, crawlspaces, rafters, and between walls. If you can’t see any mold, but you detect a noticeable musty earth smell, you most likely have mold growth that you can’t see. | ||
| − | #Act quickly after discovering water damage. Mildew and mold will begin developing within 24-48 hours of exposure to moisture. It will quickly continue to grow until the moisture is completely removed and the mold is exterminated.<ref>http://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf</ref> | + | #Act quickly after discovering water damage. Mildew and mold will begin developing within 24-48 hours of exposure to moisture. It will quickly continue to grow until the moisture is completely removed and the mold is exterminated.<ref name="rf4">http://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf</ref> |
#Turn off the power. If any cables or wiring are wet or moldy, shut the power off before cleaning. Have an electrician examine the wiring before turning the power back on again. | #Turn off the power. If any cables or wiring are wet or moldy, shut the power off before cleaning. Have an electrician examine the wiring before turning the power back on again. | ||
#Dry out the area. You will want to dry out the moldy or wet area as quickly as possible to prevent the mold from spreading. The longer you leave an area wet, the more likely mold will form. | #Dry out the area. You will want to dry out the moldy or wet area as quickly as possible to prevent the mold from spreading. The longer you leave an area wet, the more likely mold will form. | ||
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#*Bloody nose | #*Bloody nose | ||
#*Rashes or hives | #*Rashes or hives | ||
| − | #*Headaches, memory loss<ref | + | #*Headaches, memory loss<ref name="rf4" /> |
===Preventing Future Problems=== | ===Preventing Future Problems=== | ||
#[[Protect a Basement from Flooding|Refit your house]] with water-resistant building materials. Replace the materials in flood-prone areas of the house with materials such as stone, tile, sealed concrete, waterproof wallboard. | #[[Protect a Basement from Flooding|Refit your house]] with water-resistant building materials. Replace the materials in flood-prone areas of the house with materials such as stone, tile, sealed concrete, waterproof wallboard. | ||
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=== Filing a Claim === | === Filing a Claim === | ||
#Call your insurance agent. The sooner that you get in contact with an insurance agent, the sooner your [[Prepare to File an Insurance Claim in the Event of Disaster|claim can be processed]]. Your protection will depend on your coverage, and your insurance agent will be able to get the process started. | #Call your insurance agent. The sooner that you get in contact with an insurance agent, the sooner your [[Prepare to File an Insurance Claim in the Event of Disaster|claim can be processed]]. Your protection will depend on your coverage, and your insurance agent will be able to get the process started. | ||
| − | #Make a list. List all of your damaged property before beginning the cleanup process. Include pictures and video evidence if possible.<ref>http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4540081_repairingFloodedHome.pdf</ref> | + | #Make a list. List all of your damaged property before beginning the cleanup process. Include pictures and video evidence if possible.<ref name="rf5">http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4540081_repairingFloodedHome.pdf</ref> |
#*Let your claims adjuster know when you are disposing of health hazards, such as contaminated food. It can still be claimed, so they need to know about it. | #*Let your claims adjuster know when you are disposing of health hazards, such as contaminated food. It can still be claimed, so they need to know about it. | ||
#*Ask about keeping samples. Sometimes you will meed to keep samples of damaged property, such as a piece of rug, for claim purposes. | #*Ask about keeping samples. Sometimes you will meed to keep samples of damaged property, such as a piece of rug, for claim purposes. | ||
