Water damage costs property owners over $15 billion annually. Whether it’s due to flooding or a busted pipe, excess water is never a good sign. If you’re faced with water damage somewhere in your business or home, it pays to act quickly.
What to Do When You Have a Water Damage Emergency
Locate the Source
Find the source of the water. If a busted pipe is the culprit, you can cut off the water source to end the flow. If it’s coming from cracks in the walls, you’ll have to contact a professional to repair it. Knowing where it’s coming from could also reveal whether the water is sanitary. While a leaky pipe under your sink isn’t a good sign, at least it’s clean water. The same can’t be said for flooding due to a sewer backup.
Cut off the Power
You may not have to concern yourself about this if there’s just a little amount of water. However, if you’ve got a huge flood in the basement, your electrical outlets may be waterlogged. The power must be shut off for safety.
If your circuit panel is in the basement, don’t try to reach it to cut it off. It’s best to contact the utility company and have a professional come and turn off the power. When the water is eliminated and your property is starting to dry out, call an electrician to check your wiring, including any electronics that may have been damaged in the flood. Find out what is safe to use again before you start plugging anything back into your outlets.
Call the Insurance Company
Filing an insurance claim for water damage may not be the first thing on your mind when you’ve got a couple of feet of water in your home or business, but you’ll want to sooner or later call your property’s insurance company.
While it’s possible you might not have flood insurance that covers natural disasters, you will almost certainly have coverage for busted pipes or sewage backup issues. Document the damage and fill out your insurance claim. An adjuster may come and perform a complete inspection.
One important reason to contact the insurance company immediately and not wait is that they can provide references for any type of help you might need to get your home or business back to its previous state.
Call a Water Damage Restoration Company
If a water damage emergency has your property in feet instead of inches of water, it’s time to call a water damage restoration company. As the top business for water damage restoration in Denver, our specialists have the tools necessary to pump out the water and dry out your property more effectively. We work swiftly to remedy the water damage, preserving the integrity of your property’s structure and foundation. When it comes to water damage, time is of the essence. Contact us today.
