If your property has been affected by water damage, it is important to take immediate action to help mitigate the extent of the damage and protect your health. Our restoration team at PG Long suggests an important step plan you should follow after water damage to your home.
1. Shut off the water supply!
The first and most crucial step is to cut off all water that can flow to appliances and plumbing. This can help prevent further damage and allow you some time to identify the source.
2. Turn off the power.
Almost as important as shutting off the water is to turn off all power to the property. If power is not turned off, the risk of electrocution as well as frying your electronic equipment increases. Locate the electrical panel and switch the power off.
3. Document your damage
It’s important to document your damage as soon as possible. The easiest way to document damage is with your smart phone. Most phones today have a camera to take photos and/or videos. Take photos and videos of the affected areas. This will help with your insurance claim process and help restoration companies like us to assess the damage. When documenting the damage, make sure you do this in a safe manner. Wear waterproof boots if available to help prevent skin exposure to possible contaminated water. Also, be on the lookout for any trip hazards that may be on the ground. It is probably a good idea to wear a mask to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
4. Contact a reputable restoration company
Prior to calling your insurance company, call a reputable restoration company like PG Long. Do your research into selecting a viable contractor. Check their online reviews as well as license and certifications to ensure both you and your property are in good hands. If the loss is extensive, select a company that offers contents (personal property) and reconstruction services as well. A project manager should arrive in a timely manner at the site and conduct an inspection. The project manager will provide valuable information regarding loss.
5. Identify the source!
It is very important to identify the source of your loss to properly mitigate damage as well as prevent future loss. The restoration company can most likely help in this effort but it's not always the case as their primary focus is to mitigate the damage and dry out the structure. A plumber can help in this regard as well. Although constant rain and flooding are common occurrences in the Pacific Northwest, some of the most common reasons for water damage anywhere include:
- Burst pipes during power outage
- Leaky or shoddy plumbing
- Sewer back-up
- Malfunctioning appliances (i.e. water heater)
6. Contact your insurance company
Now that you have all the valuable information from these steps regarding the loss, it's time to call your insurance provider. Take notes and get a claim number that you can provide to your project manager.
7. Work with a contractor to execute mitigation scope
Once these steps are completed, the restoration contractor can begin stabilizing the property. The next steps include setting up a controlled access zone as well as a containment barrier to prevent cross-contamination. Your restoration company can then carry out steps necessary for extracting and drying the water from the property.
If you have been affected by water damage, don't hesitate to call us 24/7 on our emergency line in both Boise, ID, and Portland, OR. There’s nothing as important as getting your property back to normal. Our mitigation team at PG Long has the experience and ability to make a difference. PG Long is here to help!
