Unfortunately, it’s not always easy (or even possible) to avoid water damage. Water damage can be the result of leaks, floods, and burst pipes. If you’re facing water damage, it’s in your best interests to make a water restoration appointment with a professional.
That being said, there are also a few things you’ll want to do before that appointment. Here are the top 5 things to do before your water restoration appointment:
1. Document the Damage
Before your appointment, you should take extra care to document the damage. This includes taking photos and even video evidence of the damage. Be sure these photos/videos include the location and severity. You should also make sure to capture what you did to mitigate the damage.
For example, did you place a bucket beneath the leak in the ceiling? If so, snap a photo! You’ll want these photos for two reasons. The first is for your insurance company and filing a claim. The second is to send it to your water restoration technician prior to the appointment so they know what to expect.
2. Jot Down Your List of Questions
During your water restoration appointment, you’ll likely have questions, such as what caused the damage in the first place. You may also be wondering how long it’ll take for the water restoration process to complete. Furthermore, when can you really start walking on your carpet after it’s been flooded?
These are just a few of the top questions you should ask when your team of technicians arrives. The more you know about the process, the better you can repair it. This is especially true in today’s environment, where remote work is commonplace.
3. Separate What’s Damaged
Before your appointment, you’ll want to try and separate what’s been damaged from what hasn’t. But why? The reason is to prevent the spread of mold.
Mold can develop in as little as 24 hours after exposure to water. And since mold can grow on all types of surfaces, you’ll want to remove things that could fall victim to it. These surfaces include but aren’t limited to drywall, fabric, wood, paint, and wallpaper.
This step may only apply to minor cases of water damage. For larger pools of water, you may have to wait for your technician. Once your technician arrives, they will bag up what’s damaged so it doesn’t cause further contamination.
4. Check for Mold
And speaking of mold, you should check the affected area to see if you have any. As mentioned above, mold grows in as little as 24 hours after water exposure. By looking for signs of mold, you can let your water restoration team know so you can also make an appointment for mold remediation.
One of the most important steps of the mold remediation process is treating what caused the mold – aka water. But having this appointment on the books is good so it can be treated sooner.
Signs of mold include foul odors, groups of black spots, and rot. If you notice any of these in the area where water damage occurred, it’s mold.
5. Do Your Research About How to Avoid Water Damage Moving Forward
Last but not least, if you have some time, why not learn a little bit more about the different causes of water damage? While you may not always be able to prevent water damage, some things can make it less likely.
An example of this would be clearing your gutters out twice a year. Gutters are designed to move water away from your home. But when they’re clogged, water just spills over the edge. And where does this go? You guessed it: right into your basement! This is just one common cause of water damage.
Another way to prevent water damage is knowing the warning signs of a burst pipe. Check for things like discolored, smelly water or fluctuating water pressure. Getting help for these symptoms at the onset can prevent water damage in the coming days and/or weeks.
These are just a few examples of how you can avoid water damage in the future. However, if it happens, you can count on PNW Restoration to help.
Contact PNW Restoration for the Best Water Restoration Services in Portland
Experiencing water damage is something that every homeowner can face. The good news is that you don’t have to deal with it by yourself.
At PNW Restoration, we come with years of water restoration experience. We can help return your home to normal. Contact us today to get started and set up an appointment. Our team proudly services the greater Portland, OR area, including Aloha and West Linn.
When disaster strikes, PNW Restoration should be your first call. We’re here to help!
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