5 min read
Water invading your home does more than cause physical damage – it also brings with it plenty of distress. It can be overwhelming to witness water turning things upside down inside your home.
Fortunately, all hope isn’t lost. With prompt action, there’s a way to make your recovery journey much easier, prevent further damage to your property, and save as many of your belongings as possible. This guide walks you through what water intrusion is and what to do after water has made its unwelcome way into your home.
What Is Water Intrusion and How Does It Happen?
Simply put, water intrusion is the unintentional entry of water into a structure and involves water penetrating areas that are meant to stay dry. Water and the accompanying moisture can find their way through walls, ceilings, and floors, where they create a mess and cause damage and discomfort.
It’s worth noting that knowing the meaning of water intrusion isn’t enough. Awareness of its common sources is equally crucial, as it helps you take preventative measures or respond swiftly to minimize its devastating effects, including the following:
- Damaged Roofing: Whether due to deteriorating shingles or misplaced flashing, issues with your roofing can allow water and moisture in and bring harm to your attic, ceilings, and walls.
- Faulty Plumbing: Even a minor leak in the plumbing lines within your walls can introduce moisture into your home’s structure and start a cascade of potential structural concerns.
- Poorly Sealed Windows and Doors: Weather stripping and caulking break down over time, rendering doors and windows less effective in keeping water out.
- Malfunctioning Appliances: Dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines, especially those with aged or damaged components, can leak and create pools of water that damage floors and more.
The Dangers and Consequences of Water Intrusion
Water reaching your home’s electrical systems can pose an immediate danger of short circuits or even fires. It can also create health risks by introducing contaminants into your home, depending on the type of water damage, and creating ideal conditions for mold.
Moreover, long-term water intrusion can compromise your building’s structural integrity. Wood that has been waterlogged can rot, metal can rust, and drywall can disintegrate. Worse, these issues often only become noticeable when significant damage has already occurred.
Beyond the direct physical damage that water intrusion can cause, it also negatively impacts your home’s market value. Homes with a history of water damage can be harder to sell, often requiring sellers to lower their asking price or get the repairs done before putting the property on the market.
What To Do After Water Intrusion
There’s a bright side to all this: understanding the crucial steps that must be taken immediately after a water intrusion can help minimize its impact on your home. Return your home to its pre-intrusion state by acting swiftly and following these tips:
Locate and Stop the Water Source
Look for the most obvious signs – a broken pipe, a leaky window, or an overflowed river or stream if you live in a flood-prone area. Shutting off your home’s main water valve can stop leaking or burst pipes from introducing more water into your home. In cases of natural flooding, piling up sandbags can help redirect water away from your house.
Document the Damage
Before cleaning up the water, it’s imperative that you document the extent of the water damage for insurance purposes. Take photos or videos from multiple angles, capturing all affected areas and items. It also helps to make a list of all your damaged possessions. Comprehensive documentation is critical when filing an insurance claim.
Remove the Water and Start the Drying Process
If it’s safe, begin removing the standing water as quickly as possible. Use a wet-dry vacuum if you have one, but buckets and towels can help, too. Once standing water is gone, open windows and use fans or dehumidifiers to circulate air and help dry out affected areas. However, for larger floods, professional water extraction services may be necessary.
Remember, quick and thorough drying is critical to minimizing damage to your property.
Clean and Disinfect Affected Surfaces
Water and lingering moisture can turn your home into an ideal breeding ground for mold, so it’s crucial that you clean and disinfect all affected surfaces thoroughly. Non-porous surfaces can be cleaned with water and detergent, but porous materials like drywall and insulation may need to be removed and replaced.
If this process seems overwhelming, don’t hesitate to ask for help from local water damage restoration professionals. They have the necessary tools and solutions to ensure your home is safe for you and your family again.
Get Water Out of Your Home As Quickly as Possible With Restoration 1 of North Georgia
Time is of the essence when dealing with water intrusion. That’s why Restoration 1 of North Georgia is available 24/7 to respond to your water emergency. Best of all, we have the expertise and equipment to handle everything, from water extraction to damage repairs and cleaning, leaving you with nothing else to worry about.
Don’t hesitate to call our local Restoration 1 team anytime for help. We’ll be with you as soon as possible to get water out of your home and get things back to normal.
