Tag Archives: home flooding

Aug '23

Essential Steps to Take When Dealing with Home Flooding from a Water Leak

The accidental release of water within a home is the leading cause of house damage. Clockwork Property Management warns that once unleashed inside your home, water does not need more than a few minutes to cause damage that can cost you tens of thousands of dollars to fix. That is why it is essential to know what to do if your home is ever flooded by a plumbing leak.

Speed is of supreme importance when dealing with this kind of issue. Ideally, you want to arm yourself with the proper knowledge to deal with the situation before the need arises. Knowing the first step to minimize the problem and being able to take that step can make the difference between a thousand dollars versus ten thousand dollars in repair costs.

8 essential steps to take if your home is flooded by a plumbing leak

Locate the leak

The first thing is to determine where the water leak is coming from. If it is a pipe or plumbing fixture you have access to, stop the water supply by turning off the control valve (if it has one). If the pipe or fixture doesn’t have its shut-off valve, shut the water supply to your home by turning off the main water shut-off valve for the house.

Turn off the power

Turning off the power is unnecessary if there is only a small amount of water on the floor. But if this is a major flood and there is a risk of water getting into outlets and electrical appliances, you will need to turn the power off from the mains. If the electrical panel is in your flooded basement, do not enter the basement to turn off the power; wait for an electrician or call the utility company.

Call your insurance company

You should inform your insurance company as soon as possible. They may want to ask some questions to get more details about the problems, do not answer questions unless you are sure of the answers. What you need from the insurer is information on how to deal with the issue. Your insurer may also have their preferred water restoration professional and mold expert.

Document the damage

Having visual proof of the cause and extent of the damage makes it easier to process your insurance claims. Before you start fixing your home, you want to document the damage. Walk through your home and take pictures of the damage. You may also use a video accompanied by a clear audio commentary accompanying the video. A written record of the damage also helps.

Remove wet items

Actually, as a first step, you should remove your belongings from the path of the water. Do this as soon as you shut down the water supply. It will help to minimize the damage to your home. Subsequently, when you assess and document the damage to the house, you should remove all items that have been partly or fully submerged. Do this for every wet article, whether you think they can be salvaged or should be discarded.

Contact a water restoration expert

If your insurer has their preferred water restoration expert, use that company. It is not easy or even possible to assess the competence of a water restoration expert when you have an emergency on your hands. Finding a water restoration company that has been vetted by other people is a big help in these situations. You may ask family, friends, and neighbors for their recommendations. Hiring a water restoration professional as soon as possible will help reduce restoration costs.

Decide what needs to be restored

You will not be able to restore everything that was damaged by the water. There are some items you should not try to salvage. For instance, if a carpet has been submerged, it is best to discard it. Your flooring and parts of your walls may also need to be replaced. Depending on how wet they are and for how long, furniture and other items in your home may be salvageable.

Hire a mold specialist

One of the aftermaths of having a flood in your home is a high probability of mold. If you can dry out your home within 24 hours of the flood, the chances of mold growing in the house are slimmer. But even if there are no visible signs of mold in your home, you should still call the mold specialist. This is because the higher humidity levels caused by flooding will increase the risk of mold.

To reiterate, speed is essential when dealing with flooding incidents in the home. But the best protection against flooding in your home is to commit the steps discussed in this post to memory. It is also a good idea to find a competent water restoration expert in your area, even if you think you will never have a flooding emergency in your home.

Aug '23

Expert Advice on Handling Home Flooding Caused by a Water Leak

Home flooding caused by a water leak can be a stressful and challenging situation for any homeowner. Not only does it cause immediate damage to your property, but if left untreated, it can lead to long-term issues such as mold growth and structural damage. In this article, we have gathered expert advice to help you handle home flooding caused by a water leak effectively.

Identifying the Source

The first step in handling a home flooding situation is to identify the source of the water leak. This is crucial as it will determine the appropriate course of action. Common sources of water leaks include burst pipes, faulty water heaters, leaky appliances, and damaged roof.

If you are unable to identify the source of the leak, it is recommended to contact a professional plumber or water damage restoration company. They have the necessary expertise and equipment to locate and fix the leak in a timely manner.

Shutting Off the Water Supply

Once you have identified the source of the water leak, the next step is to shut off the water supply to prevent further flooding. This is typically done through the main water shut-off valve, which is usually located near the water meter or in the basement. It is important to know the location of this valve beforehand to ensure a quick response in case of an emergency.

If you are unable to locate or operate the main shut-off valve, consider contacting your local water utility company or a nearby plumber for assistance.

Mitigating Further Damage

After shutting off the water supply, it is crucial to take immediate action to mitigate further damage to your property. The following steps are recommended:

1. Remove standing water using a wet/dry vacuum or mop and buckets.

2. Place towels or blankets to absorb excess moisture from affected areas.

3. Turn on fans and open windows to facilitate drying and ventilation.

4. Move furniture, electronics, and other valuable items to a dry area.

5. If possible, lift wet carpets and rugs to allow airflow underneath.

6. Remove any damaged materials, such as wet drywall or carpet, to prevent mold growth.

Assessing the Damage

Once you have mitigated further damage, it is important to assess the extent of the damage caused by the water leak. This will help you determine the necessary steps for restoration and insurance purposes.

Check for the following signs of damage:

– Warped or buckled flooring

– Stains or discoloration on walls and ceilings

– Damp or musty odors

– Mold growth

It is advisable to take photographs or videos of the damage for documentation purposes. This can be helpful when filing an insurance claim or seeking professional assistance.

Drying and Dehumidifying

Proper drying and dehumidification are essential in preventing mold growth and further structural damage. Here are some guidelines to follow:

– Use dehumidifiers to reduce excess moisture in the air.

– Use fans to promote air circulation and accelerate the drying process.

– Consider renting industrial-grade drying equipment for large-scale flooding.

– Monitor moisture levels with a moisture meter to ensure thorough drying.

Professional Assistance

In cases of extensive damage or if you are unsure about the proper restoration techniques, it is highly recommended to seek professional assistance. A water damage restoration company will have the necessary expertise and equipment to restore your home to its pre-flood condition.

When choosing a restoration company, consider the following:

– Experience and reputation in the industry

– Proper certifications and licenses

– Availability of emergency services

– Knowledge of insurance claim processes

Prevention for the Future

Once your home has been restored and the water leak issue has been resolved, it is essential to take preventive measures to avoid future flooding incidents. Here are some tips to prevent water leaks:

– Regularly inspect and maintain your plumbing system, including pipes, faucets, and water heaters.

– Monitor your water bill for any sudden increases, which may indicate a hidden leak.

– Install water leak detection devices and automatic shut-off valves.

– Ensure proper drainage around your property and keep gutters clean.

– Insulate pipes to prevent freezing during cold weather.

Conclusion

Handling home flooding caused by a water leak requires prompt action and the right approach. By identifying the source, shutting off the water supply, mitigating further damage, assessing the extent of the damage, and taking the necessary drying and restoration steps, you can effectively handle the situation and minimize long-term issues. Remember, professional assistance is always available if needed, and implementing preventive measures can help you avoid future flooding incidents.

Jul '22

8 Tips to Help Prevent Home Flooding During the Rainy Season

One of the most beautiful things about living on this planet is the regularity with which seasons come and go. Every single year for as long as humans can remember, the rainy season comes. Following in the wake of those rains are a lot of good things and, sometimes, a few bad things.

The rains create the environment we need for our food to sprout and also feed the underground rivers where we get our water. But the same rain that turns nature into a lush paradise can ruin homes. The rainy season is synonymous with flooding, not only in fields but also in homes.

The rains will certainly come and go, but you want to be sure that after the rainy season is gone, your home will be as it was before the rains came. You wouldn’t want floodwater getting into your house and leaving you with mountains of bills to pay or even endangering your family’s life.

That blessing of rain from the skies can also become a curse of floodwater inside your home unless you take the right steps, warns Sun-Pro Realty & Management. Don’t forget that the stress and expenses of fixing water damage are nothing compared to the small steps you can take to prevent flooding in your home.

That bears repeating; flood prevention is many times more inexpensive than the cost of restoring your home after it has been hit by a flood. How can you keep your home from being flooded this rainy season? Here are tips you can follow to keep your property safe when it rains.

8 tips to help you prevent flooding in your home

Improve drainage by grading the area around your home

Water naturally flows from high ground to low. If the ground near the foundation of your home is lower than the surrounding areas, you will have flooding in the basement. Take note of the direction that water flows when it is on your property and areas where floodwater accumulates around the home.

Make sure the ground around the base of the house slopes down to the street. Add dirt and sod to make the ground higher, if necessary.

Inspect and clean downspouts and gutters

Downspouts collect rainwater from the gutters around your roof and discharge it into a part of the property where it won’t flow back into your home. But downspouts and gutters will only play their role if they are not clogged with debris or damaged.

Make a habit of inspecting and cleaning your gutters and downspouts regularly, particularly if there are lots of trees around your home.

Test your sump pump on a schedule

The sump pump is supposed to automatically remove floodwater that finds its way into your basement. This system is designed to work without your direct involvement, but sump pumps can fail.

You may not realize that your sump pump has stopped working until your home is unexpectedly flooded. You can avoid this by doing scheduled tests of the sump pump and installing a backup system.

Keep storm drains free of debris

Any debris you let scatter around your yard can find its way into the storm drain when it rains. Blocked drains on your property or the street will predispose your home to floods.

All storm drains on your property are your responsibility to clean and maintain. You should also inform the city department responsible for cleaning the city’s drains if a storm drain on the street is posing problems.

Clean clogged drains after heavy rains

Even if you keep your yard free of debris, your drains can still get clogged with debris transported from the areas surrounding your home. After heavy rains, you should check your drains to make sure they are not clogged with debris. This is a lot of trouble to go through but it is a lot less than what you will have to endure if your home gets flooded.

Install a backflow prevention device

A backflow prevention device ensures that if during heavy rains, your home’s sewer systems are overwhelmed, water does not back up into your home. If there is no backflow device installed in your drains, you can end up with a lot of unpleasant material inside your house. A backflow device will save you the distress and cost of dealing with this kind of situation.

Protect your home with sandbags

If the home is in an area with a high risk of floods, you can reduce your home’s exposure to floodwaters by placing sandbags in those areas where the risk is highest. Sandbags are an effective way to redirect the flow of water and keep it from going where you don’t want it to. When using sandbags, pay close attention to the slope of the ground to avoid trapping the water, instead of redirecting it.

Install flood detection systems

Lastly, flood detection systems reduce your burden by taking over the work of keeping an eye on every part of your home for signs of flooding. Flood detection systems have become very advanced, and you can integrate them into your home security system or install them as a standalone system.