Water emergencies and the subsequent water damage caused can have serious consequences as far as the healthy livability of your home or property is concerned. Water emergencies such as a backed-up toilet can render your home unlivable. The growth of mould and mildew can have adverse effects on your health as well as that of your family, making your home uninhabitable as well. It is, therefore, important for homeowners to have some knowledge of useful tips on how to handle water emergencies and repairing water damage to ensure that such occurrences do not render them technically homeless.
Common Causes Of Water Damage
Before we delve deeper into water damage issues, it is important for you to have an idea of the common causes of water emergencies and water damage. Water damage can be caused by water leaking through a leaky roof. Alternatively, runoff stormwater can make its way into your home’s structure and various indoor spaces through damaged outer walls and the foundation. Overflowing toilets can also cause water damage when the sewer system is full. All these cases can result in a lot of water damage that may be costly to repair especially if left undetected for an extended period.
Handling Water Emergencies
Homeowners should tackle specific water emergencies in different ways. For instance, where a burst water pipe is the main cause of water damage, you should first turn off the main water supply valve. This valve is usually located right next to your home’s water meter. Water emergencies caused by rainwater making its way through a damaged roof should be handled by completely repairing the damaged section of the roof. It is also important to have a professional like those at the IBX services site look at water emergencies caused by water seeping through the foundation.
Clearing Water Damage
Once the water has made into your home, you will need to clear it out as fast as possible. This is because it only takes a short while before mould and mildew start to develop, rendering the space uninhabitable. It is recommended that you find large box fans, heaters, and dehumidifiers to use in clearing the water that has made its way into the house. In extreme cases, you might even need a water pump to get water out of the basement, especially in the case of water damage caused by a hurricane.
Repairing Water Damage
Once the water has been cleared from the house, you can inspect the affected spaces and house structure for water damage. Where the damage was caused by a backed-up toilet pouring raw sewerage into your home, you will need to remove and dispose of all affected fittings including carpets. On the other hand, items damaged by stormwater that has not come into contact with any biohazards, or mould and mildew, can be removed for cleaning. Once the carpets, furniture, and any other affected fittings are removed, you can then inspect the foundation and walls for any damage and presence of mould and mildew. Be sure to repair the main cause of the water damage before replacing fittings.
Water emergencies and damage tend to have serious effects. In case the damage is extensive, it is recommended that you call in qualified water damage and restoration specialist.
