Things You Should Know About Water Damage
11/2/2022 (Permalink)
Everything You Need to Know About Water Damage
Water damage is not always easily visible. It often starts with a tiny leak in the roof or a pipe that bursts. This can lead to water getting under your home’s foundation, which can cause major structural damage. When water seeps into your home it can quickly cause mold and other expensive repairs. The best way to protect your investment is to call SERVPRO of East Central Cincinnati as soon as possible.
Your Plumbing System
The plumbing system of your home is a complex network of pipes, valves and fixtures. The pipes themselves are usually made from copper or steel. They're buried in the ground to prevent freezing and breakage; if one does break, it can cause significant damage to your home by way of flooding or mold growth. Even though most water lines today are made from plastic, rubber or other materials that reduce these risks, you should still be familiar with where they're located so that you can avoid damaging them yourself when working on projects around your property.
When Damage Is Discovered
Here are some steps to take when you suspect that your home has experienced water damage:
- Turn off all power sources and unplug all electronics that might have gotten wet. This includes TV sets, computers, and other devices with electrical components as well as any appliances that may have been damaged by water (such as refrigerators).
- Remove any items from your home that may be affected by high levels of moisture (such as carpets or wood floors) until they've been cleaned or dried out properly.
- Open windows and doors for ventilation if possible; this will help dry out damp areas quicker than simply leaving them alone without air circulation.
- Check all circuit breakers in case one flipped during flooding events; if so then reset them before turning anything back on again!
Water Damage Cleanup Technique
The first step in cleaning up water damage is to stop the spread of the water. It's easier said than done; once the water has seeped into your walls, it's tough to keep it from going further.
The best way to stop the spread of moisture is by using a fan(s) with high-powered output and directing them at where you want the airflow directed. The idea here is that if we direct enough air at one area, we'll be able to dry out that spot faster than if we leave it alone—but don't overdo it! Too much airflow could cause additional problems by blowing off insulation in your walls or knocking down some ceiling tiles.
Now that we've stopped any further damage from occurring (hopefully), let's talk about what tools you should use for cleanup purposes:
The Science of Drying
One thing that you should know about water damage is that it can be a long process. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though; in fact, it actually works to your advantage when you hire the right restoration company.
Your local restoration contractor will start by conducting an extensive inspection of your property to determine its overall condition and any potential risks involved with drying out. Once they have assessed the situation and determined what needs to be done, they can begin removing excess water through extraction methods like pumps or vacuums (or both). In addition to these methods of removing water from your home's structure, professional contractors may also use special drying equipment such as dehumidifiers or air movers. These devices allow them to more precisely control how much moisture remains in the air while simultaneously speeding up the process of extracting water from walls and floors throughout your house so that it doesn't continue damaging any other areas as well as helping prevent mold growth later on down there!
However long this process takes depends on many factors: how much damage has been done? How quickly did someone notice something was wrong? Was there too much standing water for long enough periods at certain spots? For example: if one room had two feet-high standing waves for two days straight before anyone noticed then chances are good there may still be some residual moisture left over so don't expect miracles overnight even if everything seems dry now.
Insurance Coverages
It's important to know that homeowners insurance generally covers water damage caused by a leaking pipe, appliance, or toilet overflow. If your home is damaged in this way, you should contact your insurer immediately. The company will send out a water restoration company to assess the damage and provide you with an estimate of what it will cost to make repairs. If you agree with their assessment, they'll move forward with making needed repairs—and then invoice your insurance company for reimbursement.
The reason this process works so well is because most homeowners policies have special exclusions for intentional acts (like someone breaking into your home) or natural disasters like fire and windstorms.
Why Pipes Break
There are many reasons why water damage occurs. The pipes in your home are made of materials that can corrode, so they can experience pinholes that may not be visible. Water can also get into the walls of your home when there is a leak outside or if it is too close to an edge of a wall. Water damage can occur from a variety of sources including dishwashers, washing machines, toilets, and showers: all appliances that use water will cause moisture build-up over time unless they are regularly cleaned out and maintained properly by an expert plumber.
A Professional Can Help
Now that you know about the proper steps to take in order to get it back into shape, you don't have to face this problem alone. SERVPRO of East Central Cincinnati is here for all your water damage needs!
SERVPRO is a professional cleaning company that specializes in restoring homes and businesses after they've experienced any type of disasters such as fire or flood damage. The highly trained technicians at SERVPRO will make sure that every last piece of debris is removed from your home so no trace remains after they're done working on it—that way there's no need for worry or concern when it comes time for resale value. You can rest assured knowing our experts will handle everything!