Water Damage Cleanup & Restoration Checklist

5 min read

Water damage can occur in different ways. But unfortunately, it doesn’t matter what the course or source is. Whether from a burst pipe, HVAC malfunction, or widespread flooding, water damage in Chicago North Shore can be devastating to any home or business owner in the area.

If you have recently experienced a plumbing breakdown or natural disaster, seeing your property submerged in water can be disheartening. Thinking about what you need to do to get everything back to normal can be even more overwhelming. The good news is that there’s a way for you to restore as much as you can and regain a sense of normalcy: by approaching water damage restoration in Chicago North Shore quickly and correctly.

On that note, here are some pointers to include in your cleanup and restoration checklist:

Contact Your Insurance Company

Insurance policies require property owners to contact their insurers as soon as reasonably possible. So to avoid issues with your claim, it’s best to get in touch with your provider to report the loss promptly. Your plan can help you cover the expenses incurred during the water damage restoration process.

While you’re at it, make sure to take photos of the water damage, along with all affected items. Thorough documentation will help you file a successful claim and receive the compensation you need to get your home or business back up and running.

Call a Restoration Company

While you are free to address water damage on your own, getting expert help is the best way to achieve a successful restoration project. This is especially true if you recently experienced a flood.

Experts in water damage in Chicago North Shore will know how to thoroughly inspect your property to determine the water intrusion class and contamination category. Moreover, they use this assessment to identify the steps to take to address the existing water damage, address hidden issues, and prevent secondary damage to your property.

Check for Safety

Besides getting expert help, keeping yourself and your loved ones out of harm’s way is another priority on your checklist. If you had to vacate your place because of a flood, it’s best to get in touch with your emergency responders first to learn if it’s safe to return.

Moreover, never enter a flooded area without turning the electricity off. Even if there’s no obvious electrical hazard, it pays to remember that it’s still a dangerous environment.

If you must enter a flooded basement or any other part of your building, use your home’s electric panel to cut power to your home. But if it cannot be safely accessed, you may also call an electrician to have the property inspected before you enter or remove electrical devices from submerged areas.

Address the Water Source

After ensuring the area is safe, it’s time to identify and address the water source. Doing so prevents more water from entering your property and keeps your building from suffering additional damage.

If the source is a burst pipe or a leaking appliance, locate the water shutoff valve to turn off the supply immediately. Meanwhile, if water is entering your home or workplace due to a flood, using sandbags to build a barrier can help keep water out.

Remove Standing Water Quickly

The longer water sits inside your building, the more damage it can do. So to minimize your losses and achieve successful water damage restoration, all excess water must be removed as soon as possible.

While waiting for your restoration professionals to arrive, you can get started by using buckets or activating your sump pumps to remove the water. With that said, remember that it’s still best to leave the water extraction process to the experts once they come.

They use professional equipment to get standing water out of your property safely and quickly. Moreover, they come equipped with heavy-duty fans, commercial-grade dehumidifiers, and thermal imaging cameras to ensure your home or workplace is dry from the inside out.

Move Salvageable Items to a Safe Place

Bringing out your salvageable items is another must-have in any water damage cleanup and restoration checklist. This is something a local water restoration company can help you with. Most teams have warehouses where they can store valuables to be cleaned, sanitized, or dried out.

Otherwise, moving your water-logged possessions to a dry and well-ventilated area is recommended.

Address Your Water Damage in Chicago North Shore With the Experts

Once you have all the items above checked off, all that’s left to do now is let the restoration experts do what they do best.

At this point, you can expect your local restoration professionals to do any of the following:

• Remove and replace damaged building materials such as baseboards and wet insulation.
• Repair roof damage or replace weakened building components to resolve structural issues.
• Replace your HVAC, electrical wiring, light fixtures, and other mechanical or electrical components.
• Repair or replace water-damaged ceilings, walls, and flooring.

These can seem like overwhelming projects, and nobody wants to deal with water damage and its aftermath on their properties. Unfortunately, it’s a stressful situation that many home or business owners face every year. But the bright side is this: knowing the first steps to take after a plumbing emergency or flood can help you recover from any water damage as painlessly as possible.

If you need help with water damage cleanup and restoration in Chicago North Shore, your local Restoration 1 team is here to get your home or business back to normal in no time. With our IICRC-trained experts and professional equipment, you can sit back while we prevent, mitigate, and repair any damage. Call Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore to get expert help 24/7.