How To Handle a Water Leak to Prevent Damage

No one wants to deal with water damage because it's stressful. People often feel overwhelmed after discovering a slow leak behind a wall, especially since they likely don't know how long the problem's been going on. Then there's the possibility of a major leak, like a busted water heater tank, that can cause immediate property damage and affect the home's plumbing. 

Water damage restoration is essential for handling major water leaks. Still, there is an appropriate way to handle all unexpected leaks and floods to minimize property damage. 

ABC Environmental Contracting Services in Springfield is a top-rated residential and commercial damage restoration company serving Springfield and Branson, MO. In the guide below, the company outlines the best steps to take to mitigate water damage from leaks. 

Turn Off the Property's Utilities

The first step in addressing a water leak is to shut off the property's water supply. If you cannot access the building's main water valve, you should contact a plumber for help. Keeping the water supply going is problematic when addressing a leak because it can prolong the issue and make damage restoration efforts useless. 

In some cases, it's necessary to also turn off the electricity in the affected room. For example, you must turn off the electricity if the water touches outlets, plugs, or other electrical components. Otherwise, you risk electrocution or electric shock if you accidentally handle wet surfaces that carry an electrical current.

Document the Damage

Minor damage is usually fixable without involving insurance companies. For instance, it's possible to have a plumber fix a leaky sink pipe before the moisture can cause substantial property damage. Still, in some situations, like a busted frozen pipe, leaking appliance, or failing water heater, it's better to file a claim with the property's insurance company to cover the extensive damages. 

The insurance company will need documentation of the damage to the property and your personal belongings. Immediately following the incident, take pictures of all affected areas and items. You can also record videos and write a list of all the damaged materials to present to the insurance agency when filing a claim.

Contact Your Insurance Company

After documenting the damage, contact your insurance company. Discuss the situation with the agent to ensure your policy covers the damage. The agency will send an insurance adjuster to your location to investigate the damage and collect your documentation. 

Identify and Fix the Source of the Leak

Before you can handle water damage restoration tasks, you should fix the leak. Water damage to a property can range from mild to severe, with varying levels of restoration necessary for any case. The last thing you want is to undergo the process again because you didn't resolve the cause of the initial leak.

Protect Your Belongings

Remove sentimental items like pictures, clothing, or documents from the affected room to protect them from additional damage. Use wood or foam blocks to lift furniture off the flooded floor if you can't move it to another room. 

Remove Water and Dry the Affected Areas

Water extraction is essential for damage restoration. You must remove the moisture from the flooring using a wet/dry vacuum or professional water removal equipment.

After extracting the water from the floor, it's time to eliminate all residual moisture. Using a combination of open windows, fans, and dehumidifiers is best to dry out surfaces and reduce humidity levels. 

Disinfect Everything

Traces of moisture are enough to cause mold, mildew, and bacteria to grow on water-damaged surfaces. Disinfection is the next step in mitigating water damage to avoid problematic mold growth.

Call a Water Damage Restoration Company

Sometimes water damage is too extensive to handle alone. Calling a reputable damage restoration company is always best. Their skilled teams can manage the entire restoration process, from handling insurance claims to restoring the property to its pre-damage condition. 

Contact ABC Environmental Contracting Services for Water Damage Mitigation in Springfield, MO

Whenever a leak occurs inside a residence, it's important to take action immediately, like turning off the water supply, repairing the leak, and removing moisture from surfaces to prevent mold. Fortunately, no one has to navigate water damage alone in Springfield or Branson, MO. 

ABC Environmental Contracting Services in Springfield is a full-service damage restoration company with an experienced, IICRC-accredited restoration crew. They specialize in water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, and storm cleanup, including 24/7 emergency services. The company also has vast experience helping clients handle their insurance claims to make the process less stressful. 

Request a quote for services from ABC Environmental Contracting Services in Springfield at (417) 217-7545 or by submitting their convenient online contact form.