Water damage can happen to anyone. When you least expect it, your home or business can be hit with a devastating flood, rainwater falling through the roof, or even a malfunction in your plumbing system, causing a toilet overflow.

These scenarios and more could all cause water damage that must be addressed quickly and efficiently. What you do after water damage, as explained in this column, is just as important as how you respond to it initially.

Some of these tips seem like common sense, but as any expert will tell you, common sense isn’t so common.

Take a moment to read this article so that you’ll know exactly what to do if ever presented with water-damaged premises again in the future.

Here are our top tips for handling water damage:

Stop the Influx of More Water

First and foremost, you’ll want to stop the influx of any more water. Depending on the cause of the water damage, this may involve turning off the source of the water, removing standing water, and even cutting off electricity to a portion of the building that is experiencing flooding.

If the leak is coming from a pipe, turn off the water at the source. If the water is coming from a broken sprinkler system, shut off the mechanism causing the leak. If the water is coming from outside the building, you may need to seal the locations where water is entering the building.

Shutting off the water will buy you some time, but ultimately, the water inside will still have to be removed.

Dry Out the Facility

If you’ve successfully stopped the water from its source, you’ll want to get the facility dried out as quickly as possible. This means getting fans, pumps, dehumidifiers, and/or air conditioners running. This will help remove excess moisture from the air and expedite the drying process. You might also want to open the windows and doors to allow the facility to dry out naturally.

Depending on the extent of the water damage, this step may happen simultaneously with the previous one.

You can speed up this process even more by using a technique called “pressure washing.” Essentially, you’ll use a high-powered water hose to blast the water and dirt out of the facility and expedite the drying process. Be careful not to do this to the point that you cause more damage, though!

Clean Up the Mess

Next, you’ll want to clean up the mess created by the water damage.

Start by removing large debris, such as furniture or broken glass. You’ll want to bag these items up and put them in an outdoor trash bin. You can use a shop vacuum to clean up any smaller debris, such as dirt and mud.

Once you’ve cleaned up the mess, you’ll want to disinfect the area. This will prevent any bacteria or mold contamination. You can use a disinfecting spray or wipe to do this.

You’ll also want to clean yourself up while you’re at it. The cleanup process can get messy, so it’s best to wear protective clothing like gloves, boots, and goggles. You can also use a face mask to protect yourself from any bacteria or mold spores in the air, which can pose a health risk if levels are too high.

Related Article: Is there always mold with water damage?

Determine the Extent of the Water Damage

Now that you’ve stopped the influx of more water and dried out the facility, it’s time to determine the extent of the water damage.

The first step is to do a visual inspection of the facility. Look for signs of water damage – water marks, discoloration, water residue, or mold growth. You’ll also want to take note of any affected areas so that you can keep track of the damage as you move forward with the cleanup process.

For example, if you have water damage in the ceiling, you’ll want to take photos of the area to show any repair workers where the watermarks are located.

You also want to ensure that you shut off any appliances with water damage. This includes water heaters, refrigerators, washing machines, and toilets.

The more you understand the extent of the water damage, the better prepared you’ll be to solve it.

Prepare a Checklist for Water Damage

Now that you’ve stopped the influx of more water, dried out the facility, cleaned up the mess, and determined the extent of the water damage, it’s time to make a checklist for the water damage.

This will help track your progress as you move forward with the cleanup process. Start with an outline of each room in the facility, including details about the amount of water damage in each room, materials, and appliances that have been affected by the water, and what needs to be done, such as carpet cleaning or plumbing fixture replacement.

Having all this information at your fingertips will make the cleanup process much more manageable.

You’ll also want to make a list of all the professionals you need to call to help you with the cleanup process. This includes contractors like your insurance company, plumbers, electricians, structural engineers, cleaning companies, and roof repair services.

Contact A+ Restoration Services for Emergency Water Damage Restoration Services in Indianapolis

The aftermath of water damage is what separates the rookies from the experts; knowing what to do after water damage can keep your home or business from being irrevocably damaged.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to handle water damage like a pro.

However, the stress of dealing with water damage in your house can be overwhelming, so you should consider hiring A+ Restoration Services for emergency water removal and restoration.

Hiring us will not only take some stress off your shoulders but also ensure that they handle everything with care to prevent further damage to your property. Rest assured that we have the expertise and equipment needed for a successful water damage restoration process.

We also offer mold removal services, sewage cleanup, fire damage restoration, smoke damage restoration, and mold remediation services.

Call us today at (317) 934-7123 to speak to one of our representatives.