10 safety steps when it comes to water damage

Imagine this scenario. You get up at 7am to go to work and walk around your living room, only to hear “squish, squish, squish” and see footprints left behind. The worst thing that could have happened overnight happened… A pipe burst in your wall and has been leaking water for 8 hours, flooding your entire house and saturating your carpet. What is your job?

Are here 10 quick and easy tips and safety measures to take when dealing with a flood or water damage disaster.

1. If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately.
2. Immediately leave any wet or flooded area. Do not stand on wet ground.
3. Make sure all people and animals in the building are safe and move them to a dry place.
4. Make sure the structure is safe; otherwise, leave the building immediately.
5. Disconnect power to the affected area, whenever it is safe to do so.
6. Turn off the water supply at the meter, usually located at the front of the building.
7. Shut off all natural gas supply lines.
8. Call a local water damage restoration company to schedule an immediate cleanup.
9. Call your insurance adjuster to file a claim. Most water damage losses are covered by insurance.
10. Set up any necessary shelter or contact a friend or family member for additional housing assistance.

If the structure is safe, after following the steps above, follow this short checklist to have it ready for the water damage technician when they arrive.

Exterior Damage Checklist:

* Any missing or damaged roof tiles?
* Is there bent or missing flashing?
* Is there damage to the gutters?
* Is the chimney intact or damaged?
* Is the stucco stained or cracked and loose?
* Is the brick wet or stained?
* Are siding boards intact, warped, or loose?
* Are there signs of water ingress through the windows?
* Are there signs of water intrusion through basement windows or window openings?

Attic Damage Checklist:

* Is any insulation wet or damaged?
* Are any of the vents damaged or missing?
* Do you see any daylight through the roof?
* Do HVAC ducts have condensation or damp insulation?
* Are the structural elements damp, rotten or deformed?

Basement/Crawl Damage Checklist

* Are all foundation walls intact?
* Is the cellar or cellar wet or dry?
* Are the floors above the basement stained or dry?
* Is the ductwork dry and intact or stained or damaged?
* Is the oven working or is it water damaged?
* Is the water heater tipped over, disconnected from the service line, or damaged in any other way?

Interior/Content Damage Checklist

* Which rooms are affected?
* Are the walls intact?
* Is the roof leaking?
* There’s water on the ground?
* Is there any personal content damaged?

By following these safety steps and checklists, you should be well prepared for any water damage emergencies that may occur. If you have any questions, follow the link to our website below or follow us on Twitter at @restoration365.