5 Things to Do If You Find Water in Your Home.

10/12/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage can happen at anytime.

This week we have been inundated with calls from desperate homeowners with water losses.

With the amount of rain we received recently in northwest Iowa, we thought it was a good time to go over what you should do if water enters your home.

Water damage can cause all sorts of a headache for homeowners, both immediately after the damage occurs and in the long run. From floods to leaky faucets, water damage is a serious pain and can cause significant health and safety issues.

Follow these 5 steps to keep water damage from getting worse.  

• Take Pictures. Before you remove any water or make any repairs, fully document the damage for your insurer by taking photos or video.
• Protect Your Health. Even if the water in your home is clear, it could be contaminated by sewage or household chemicals. Even chemicals on walls or in insulation can contaminate water. Make sure to wear wader ad rubber gloves if you opt to remove any water-damaged possessions to avoid contaminants.
• Call Your Insurance Company. You should notify your insurer soon as possible after water enters your home. Advise your insurance representative of the state of your home and any repairs you intend to do immediately. Be sure to follow the insurance company’s direction about whether or not to wait for an adjuster to inspect the property before making repairs.
• Remove the Water. Once your insurer approved, remove the water, use a sump pump or wet vac, open doors and windows to allow fresh air to circulate.
• Mitigate Mold Damage. We recommend you call our experts at SERVPRO of Spencer and Iowa Great Lakes. Mold can develop in as little as 24 hours. Our crews will remove carpeting, padding, bedding and help you determine what is salvageable and what is not. Our team will also control mold growth by cleaning with special mildewcides. 

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (712) 262-4379

Learn more about our Water Damage Repair and Restoration services.