In recent years, we have experienced more extreme weather storms, such as the ‘Arctic Blast’ front that occurred in December 2022 and affected many houses in Maryland, particularly in Montgomery County. These types of storms often lead to burst pipes and significant water damage.
Water damages can be a major disaster for any homeowner. It can weaken the structural integrity of the property, corrode pipes, create conditions conducive to mold and mildew growth, attract pests, and damage electrical systems. It also poses risks to the health of those living in the affected home. To minimize the risks and consequences of water damage, it is important to take quick action.
In this post, we will offer tips and general advice for addressing water damage in your home. Given that quick response is crucial, here are the key steps to follow after water damage occurs in your home:
(+) Ensure safety and contain the situation
The most important thing is to ensure the safety of yourself, your family and anybody else who may be in the area. This includes identifying the source of the flood, as well as visible effected areas. Prevent others from entering, and try turning off power if it’s safe to do so, or if needed to call a certified electrician in case of a wet area. Make sure to wear protective gear such as gloves and boots, especially if the flood is a result of a sewage backup.
If the water is still running, try and stop the leak, for example by shutting off the main water supply. If the source is a leak, use tape or putty to seal it. However if the flood is strong and significant portion of your house has standing water, we recommend leaving the property and wait for professional response to avoid further risk.
(+) Protect your valuables (if possible)
If possible and for as long as that doesn’t pose any additional risk, you can try and move important items, rugs or other pieces of furniture that are close to wet areas. Alternatively you can also try and insert tin foil to prevent staining of furniture or similar household items. This can be useful in case of flooded basement with a wet carpet.
(+) Call Your Home Insurance Company
Contact your homeowners’ insurance company to report the water emergency situation. Confirm you have water damage coverage and open a claim. It’s highly important to document all valuables and all affected items and we strongly recommend to take as many photos as possible before, as this will help the insurance adjuster with the assessment of your claim.
Once the water emergency has been contained, mitigation completed and the house is dry, you’ll continue to the next step of restoration.
We truly hope you won’t suffer a flood, sewage backup, leak, or any similar water damage scenario. But in case you do, we hope this list helps. If you’re in Rockville, Bethesda, Potomac, Silver Spring, or anywhere else in Montgomery County or Washington DC, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
