Water Damage Restoration: A Guide to Dealing with Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage can be a nightmare for homeowners. Whether it’s from a burst pipe, a leaky roof, or a recent storm, water damage can cause extensive loss of property and pose health risks to you and your family. In this blog, we’ll cover the basics of water damage restoration, including how to prevent it, what to do if it happens, and how to choose a water damage restoration company.

Prevention of Water Damage Is Key

The best way to deal with water damage is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are a few tips to help you prevent water damage:

• Inspect your roof: Regularly inspect your roof for leaks and damage. Replace any damaged or missing shingles as soon as possible.
• Maintain your gutters: Clean your gutters at least twice a year to prevent water from backing up and causing damage to your roof and walls.
• Check your appliances: Check your washing machine, dishwasher, and other appliances for leaks or damage. Replace any worn out hoses or connections.
• If you live in an area affected by hurricane season, make sure your home is constructed to withstand the high winds and heavy rain that accompany these storms.

What to Do if Water Damage Occurs

Despite your best efforts, water damage can still occur. If you do experience water damage, here are some steps you should take:

1. Turn off the water source: If the water damage is caused by a burst pipe or other plumbing issue, turn off the water source to prevent further damage.
2. Turn off the power: If the water damage is extensive, turn off the power to your home to prevent electrical shocks.
3. Call your insurance company: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the damage.
4. Document the damage: Take pictures and videos of the damage to your property for insurance purposes.
5. Remove water and debris: Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove standing water and debris. Open windows and doors to help with air circulation. Pull up wet carpet and padding to allow the subfloor to dry and to prevent additional water from seeping into insulation, baseboards, and drywall.

Choosing a Water Damage Restoration Company

Choosing the right water damage restoration company is crucial to ensuring that your property is restored to its pre-damage condition. Look for a company with extensive experience in water damage restoration and is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). They should also have liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. Choosing someone who offers around the clock availability and emergency services is beneficial. If the company wasn’t recommended to you by a reliable source, ask them for references and read online reviews.

Water damage can be stressful and overwhelming, but getting everything repaired and back to normal is achievable, especially with the right information and help from a reputable water damage restoration services provider. If you have repairs to be made in your home, contact Atlantic Property Restoration today.