7 Tips To Fixing Water Damage

Water damage can be a serious issue for homeowners, especially when it goes unnoticed. Leaking pipes within the walls can take a while to spot and by the time you do, it’s already caused significant damage. Meanwhile, other issues like burst pipes or floods can happen quickly, leading to mold growth, structural damage, and many other issues that require costly repairs. 

The key to effectively fixing water damage is knowing what to do when water damage strikes. Understanding how to fix water damage quickly and following the right steps can save you money, protect your home, and prevent long-term problems.

What Is Water Damage?

Before learning how to fix water damage, it’s important to know what it is and where it comes from. Essentially, most cases of water damage occur when excess water finds its way into your home where it shouldn’t be. Some common causes of water damage include:

• Burst pipes due to freezing temperatures in winter
• Rain leaking through your roof and damaging insulation, drywall, or paint
• An overflowing sink, tub, or toilet that soaks your bathroom flooring
• Appliance leaks from dishwashers, washing machines, or water heaters
• Sewage backups and overflows

The longer water sits, the more damage it causes, weakening parts of your home’s structure. In dark areas like your basement, crawlspace, or inside your walls, the moisture and humidity can create an environment that promotes mold growth within 72 hours or less. 

7 Immediate Steps To Take After Water Damage in Your Home

Fixing water damage as soon as you spot signs of it can help you mitigate more extensive, costly damage. Here are the steps to ensure effective home water damage repair:

1. Call Your Insurance Company

When you notice water damage, contact your homeowners’ insurance provider. Policies vary, so they’ll assess whether the damage is a covered loss. An adjuster will be sent to evaluate the scene and determine your claim eligibility.

Take photos and videos before, during, and after cleanup, documenting the value of affected items to help support your claim.

2. Protect Yourself, Appliances, and Valuables

Safety first! In case of inclement weather or safety hazards, protect yourself and your household before your belongings. If conditions are unsafe or worsening, evacuate and wait until authorities or professionals say it’s safe to return.

• Turn Off the Power: Never mix water and electricity. If your breaker is in a flooded or soaked area, evacuate the home and call a professional.
  
  
• Wear Protective Gear: Floods and sewage backups can bring contaminants that are hazardous to your health. If you can’t avoid coming into contact with them, wear rubber boots, gloves, and a mask to shield you.
  
  
• Protect Belongings: Move wood furniture off wet carpets and place foil under the legs to avoid staining. Remove rugs and valuables from affected areas.

3. Contact a Local Water Damage Restoration Company Immediately

Timing is everything, and home water damage repair is best left to professionals. Contact a local restoration company immediately to begin the water damage mitigation process. A certified team can help:

• Assess the damage
• Secure your property against looters before restoration starts
• Provide temporary measures to prevent damage from getting worse before restoration can begin

Not all restoration companies offer 24/7 emergency services, so choose a service provider that can assist as soon as possible. 

4. Start the Water Removal and Drying Process

If your property is safe to enter, remove as much water as possible. Use mops, towels, buckets, and wet/dry vacuums to remove standing water. If there are no electrical hazards, use fans and dehumidifiers to help dry your property. Otherwise, open the doors and windows to promote ventilation and prevent moisture build-up. 

If you’re handling any initial cleanup yourself:

• Use buckets or a wet-dry vacuum to remove standing water
• Mop up residual moisture
• Set up fans and dehumidifiers to dry the area completely

When your property restoration technicians arrive, their water extraction services provide advanced water extraction and drying technology to prevent lingering moisture within your property structure. 

5. Watch for Mold Growth

Mold can begin to develop within the first 72 hours of water exposure. If materials remain damp too long, they may become unsalvageable. Look for:

• Musty odors
• Discoloration on walls or ceilings
• Fuzzy, black substance on your surfaces
• Warped wood or floors

A restoration company will inspect for mold and provide remediation if necessary. Avoid DIY mold removal methods, which can accidentally spread mold spores elsewhere.

6. Determine What Can Be Restored or Replaced

Not everything damaged by water will need to be thrown away. Before or during restoration, property restoration technicians can help assess what can be salvaged. They can help you document the damaged items to assist with your insurance filing. 

Once aspects like drywall, insulation, carpets, and other furniture are handled and the affected areas are completely dry, restoration technicians can provide a moisture inspection and let you know when it’s safe to proceed with home water damage repair.

7. Know When It’s Safe To Return

Don’t assume your home is safe just because the water is gone. Structural issues, electrical hazards, or hidden mold could still pose risks. Wait for clearance from your restoration team before fully moving back into the affected areas.

Additional Tips and FAQs

How Can You Tell if Water Damage is New or Old?

Fresh water damage usually has darker spots, feels wet to the touch, and may still be dripping or pooling. Older water damage often shows staining, warping, or mold growth. The affected materials may feel soft or spongy, and there could be a musty odor.

How Long Does It Take to Dry Out a Home?

Drying time depends on the extent of the damage and the materials affected. Generally, it can take three to five days for a home to dry out with professional equipment. However, larger or more severe water damage could take longer. 

Once dry, full restoration can take up to two weeks, depending on the severity, environmental conditions, and how fast your technicians can deliver quality results.