Water / Flood Damaged carpet and fabric What to do

If you find yourself suddenly having to deal with water damage in your home, what are the first things you should do?

Water damage is one of the worst disasters that can occur in your home. Response time is everything when trying to alleviate the amount of damage water does to your home. But what should you do first when faced with this problem?

The best action you can take is often done long before water damage ever occurs. Having home owners and flood insurance will help financially with the repairs needed to your home. But if your insurance doesn't cover loss, you'll have to repair the damage yourself.

Whether your insurance company covers the water damage or not, you must take immediate action to protect your property.

Step 1 - Stop The Water At Its Source

The first action you need to take when you first notice water damage is to find the source of the water and cut it off at the source. The most common cause of water damage is leaky or busted water pipes. Either seal the leak or turn off your house’s water source to stop more water damage from occurring.  Even if you have insurance, you should take action to prevent further damage.

Step 2 - Notify Your Insurance Company

Once you have stopped the water at its source, notify your insurance company.  Now, if it's in the middle of the night, you can wait until the next morning.  But let your insurer know.  Even if the damage is not insured, your insurance agent can often help you find someone to help you repair the damage. 

******** Call Able Carpet Care(9562-7565)  to remove excess water and begin the drying process of you structure, floor coverings and furniture.

Step 3 - Remove The Water

After you repair the source of the water damage and stop more from coming in it is time to get the excess water out. A mop, a broom, a wet/dry vacuum are all common tools many have available to get as much water out as possible.

Step 4 - Ventilate

Lastly, be sure the proper ventilation is being applied to the affected areas in order to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Once all the above steps have been conducted as quickly as possible you should call your insurance company and make a claim if at all possible. If you can’t make a claim then you will need to contact professional help as soon as possible.

Step 5 - Check For Mold

Once you have stopped the water at its source, removed excess water and ventillate the area to dry it out, you will need to check the walls and carpet for signs of mold and mildew.  This usually requires a trained professional but it you begin to see black or dark green spots building up, you may have a mold problem.  Get help quickly.  And rememberif the water flows in on an upper floor of your home, check the ceiling and walls below that floor.  Water will move to the lowest place possible and you can't always see where it goes.