There can be nothing as worrisome as unwanted water in your house. Water damages are not a rare phenomenon these days, mainly due to cheap sanitary materials and carelessness on the part of residents. There are many causes, but the result is pretty similar: damp carpets, furniture, and mattresses leading to enhanced fungal growth. So what do you need to do? Take quick measures to get the water out, avoid further damage, and remodel if necessary!
Even if you are someone who cannot tell the difference between a wrench and an auger, you can reverse the water damage with little effort (of course, with professional help!). The water damage recovery depends on the extent of damage in your house. For example, you might only need to repair the fractured pipe or completely overhaul your home in the form of reinstallation of floors, retiling in your bathroom, or a makeover of your kitchen. Therefore, you need to have a comprehensive idea about water penetration to make a decision.
Stop the leakage or prevent more water from coming in
First things first, if you find yourself amidst water damage due to burst pipelines and leaking appliances, seal off the source. Use large clothes or big patches of tapes for pipelines. This may not block the water completely but will surely lessen the flow and give you some time to contact your Water Damage Advisor to fix further and recover your belongings. The Water Damage Advisor will help you with the necessary steps you need to take after the damage has been done. In some cases, your house is so affected by the damage that it requires immediate remodeling; if so, here are some ideas.
- Change pipes, faucets, and other appliances
In case of water damages from leaking or burst pipes, malfunctioning dishwashers, overflowing bathtubs, and dripping faucets getting them fixed can prevent greater damage. This may require help from a plumbing service or simply a reliable restoration company. If they suggest getting them changed, don’t hesitate.
Leaky pipes, in many instances, cannot be restored and, if done, get damaged quickly. It is therefore wise to get them replaced once and for all. However, malfunctioning faucets and dishwashers can be fixed in most cases. If you are getting it restored, ask the plumber about the working capacity of the dishwasher. If on the verge of expiry, it is better to get a new one.
- Change your basement floors
What is worse than water damage? Moldy floors, smelly carpets, and infectious agents harboring inside your home due to moisture and trapped water! In case of floods, the water accumulates in the basement floors, especially if they are carpeted.
This sets a fertile soil for the molds to grow. The grossly looking mold is not only limited to carpets, but hardwood floors may also promote bacterial and fungal growth when wet. Therefore, you may need to change your basement floors for all these reasons after a flood or large-scale water damage.
A basement floor that had been the victim of water damage should be replaced with water-resistant floors such as vinyl, porcelain, ceramic, etc. Even if you had these floors when the damage occurred, you need to replace them as persistent water can damage them too.
- Rearrange stuff in your house
In case of small-scale leakages, you may want to shift your furniture, rugs, and other home appliances to dry spaces. This will give your space an innovative look and allow the wet spaces to dry. You may not want to stop here if your home has recently flooded. Pull down any wet wall hangings and covers because even the water-resistant wall covers can allow moisture to pass and thus encourage mold growth and bacteria.
In the case of hurricanes, your window sidings may have trapped water, though appearing unaffected. Therefore, looking for even the tiniest nooks and crannies that can potentially hold moisture is always recommended. This attention to detail proves crucial while remodeling your house after a flood or hurricane.
- Check your kitchen and bathrooms
The kitchen and bathrooms are second only to the basement when it comes to the severity of harm after water damage. Even in general conditions, they are the main source of moisture in our houses. In water damage, owing to plumbing fixtures and drains, they are often the most affected places hence needing most remodeling efforts. If you look positively, this is your chance to make these rooms more innovative and interesting. Think of everything you can do, from changing your old buckling kitchen cabinets to new coats of paints and marble countertops.
- Call your insurance company to cover the cost
Home insurances differ depending upon the policies. But it is often witty to have the insurance company pay a part of the loss if not all. A representative will visit your facility and analyze the real damage to determine how much can be covered.
What is there on your part? Note down the value of the damaged appliances and take pictures and photos of everything you think can be covered by the insurance company. Not all insurance companies cover losses due to floods, but losses due to damaged and burst pipelines are often handled. Make them pay for as much as possible to cover the expense of your impending house remodel project.
Conclusion
Coming from a house owner, water damages are nothing but a mess, often needing expensive remodeling once they have wreaked havoc. Still, you can make the remodeling process interesting and fun. Stripping of just old floors and wall covers and using more stylish and bright replacements can give a feel of a new house. With that said first thing you should do after the damage is to assess your entire space for minor touchups or full makeovers. If full makeovers do not feel necessary and go out of budget, focus on what is indispensable.