Water in the basement or on the ground floor is something nobody wants in their home. Unfortunately, emergencies can occur to anyone at any time. Flooding may happen due to various reasons other than natural disasters. Situations like a burst pipe, a drain back up or a sink overflow can cause serious difficulties to homeowners and require professional water damage Lake Forest services.
Regardless of the cause, you should know how to successfully deal with water damage. There are a few steps you can take that will help minimize the stress, mess and chaos that come with a water damage emergency.
Turn off electricity
Locate your main electrical panel before you actually need it. If your electrical equipment gets exposed to water, it will put you in a severe danger of electrocution. Do not step in a flooded room if there’s a possibility that water has reached appliances, electrical cords or outlets.
If an emergency strikes, turn off the main circuit breaker to shut off the electricity in your home. Then unplug your electrical appliances and heating installations. If any of your appliances gets water damaged, there’s a big chance it will never be safe to use again. After the emergency is resolved, do not try to turn it on before an appliance technician checks it first.
Stop the water source
Knowing how to shut off your utilities can save you those valuable minutes when an emergency strikes. This is why you should locate the main shut-off valve in advance, preferably, the minute you move in. Additionally, your plumbing system has multiple valves along the pipes that can be turned on and off. All the occupants should know where these valves are and how to use them.
In the event of an emergency, shut off the water supply right away to prevent further damage. If you cannot identify the source, turn off the main shut-off valve. In case you notice more subtle signs of water damage, such as a leaky ceiling or mold, call a professional to troubleshoot the issue.
Protect your property
Protect your valuables from water damage. If they get wet, take them to safety, where they can dry. Remove or raise furniture, assess what is salvageable and can be dried out and what will have to be thrown away.
Mold is likely to start developing after the first 24 hours and will keep on spreading unless you call a professional to evaluate the situation and restore your house to a safe condition.
Contact insurance company
You should also call your insurance company and ask about the steps you should take. If your emergency is accidental and not a result of improper maintenance, you could file a water damage claim.
Depending on your policy and type of water damage, your insurance may get you covered. To be sure, after the water damage occurs, contact the company as soon as possible and find out if you can get a claims adjuster to document and evaluate the damage, experts at 24 Little Rock water damage repair company suggest.
Some water damage Lake Forest companies such as Emergency Home Solutions can not only restore your property but also negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf. If you contact EHS, we can help you get what your insurance policy entitles you to and settle your water damage claim for the maximum amount with much less hassle for you.
Call water damage Lake Forest restoration professionals
Reach out to water damage Lake Forest experts or another reliable company specializing in emergency plumbing services and water damage restoration in your area. These companies offer 24-hour emergency services and will quickly send technicians to your home.
If you live in Orange County, you can rely on Emergency Home Solutions to promptly take care of your emergency. Our expert technicians are on call 24/7 and are licensed and trained to provide a fast, efficient and top-quality service. They will assess the problem, determine the extent of damage and perform top-notch structural restoration. Our company is also certified by the EPA to remove and treat mold.
Apart from water damage restoration, Emergency Home Solutions provides a variety of other emergency services. Call us anytime at (949) 916-0549 to find out more or hire our services.