Water can make its way into your home in many different ways — flooding, holes in the roof, or even leaking or broken drain pipes within your home. If you’ve ever found a dripping pipe under the sink with stained or damaged wood underneath, you’ve seen the earliest signs of water damage. Unfortunately, even minor water damage can cause serious structural or even health problems over time. It’s important to call in a professional the moment you suspect or find evidence of water damage in your home. What can you do to ensure that the water damage removal process goes smoothly? We have a few tips.
Verify the Source of the Damage
A major flood or storm damage will be easy enough to categorize, but what about a leaking or busted drain pipe? Ron’s maintains three categories of water damage we work with, taking into account the different sources and risks associated with each issue.
Category 1 involves water from a sanitary source, with no substantial risk due to inhalation or dermal/ingestion exposure. This water will likely not remain clean once it’s come into contact with the parts of your home, however, so it is essential to get this treated right away.
Category 2 is water that has been contaminated and can cause serious illness with ingestion or contact with bare skin. Levels of microorganisms present in the water are likely to be unsafe, and chemical or biological inorganic matter may be present.
Category 3 is grossly contaminated and may contain matter like silt, chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, or other severely damaging particles. This type of water damage is considered the most severe and poses the highest risk to both residents and the cleanup crew.
Once you’ve verified the source of the water, make sure you inform the professional water damage removal specialist not just where the water damage came from, but how long it’s been present, approximately how much damage is in your home, and any possible contaminants you think may be present. It’s okay if this information isn’t 100% detailed, but any extra facts you have on hand can help us make sure you and your family are able to stay safe.
Discard Porous Objects Prior to Damage Removal
Our homes are filled with items of sentimental value, and after a flood it can be heartbreaking to sift through what can be kept and what must be thrown away. Unfortunately, any porous materials in the home can become a health hazard, as moisture trapped inside can lead to mold and make you and your family sick.
Items you may need to throw out include:
- Mattresses
- Box springs
- Pillows
- Furniture made with particle board or porous wood
- Books
- and anything else made of porous materials
Be sure to take photos and catalog each item before disposing of it, for insurance claim purposes.
Don’t Worry If You Can’t Find All the Water
When our professionals arrive, we’ll be on a mission not just to help remove the visible or easily-found damage, but also to track down any hidden pockets of moisture that may cause problems later on. Sometimes these areas may be found underneath floor tiles that are dry to the touch and otherwise give no indication of being at-risk areas, so it’s not reasonable to expect that a homeowner would be able to find every single spot before we arrive.
For insurance purposes, take photos of any visible water damage you are able to find before we arrive, and you may need to take photos of the professional removal process as well. Contact your home insurance agent to find out more.
When you call in Ron’s for water damage identification and removal, you’re calling in a professional dedicated to providing much-needed services for those in the Greenville area here in Upstate South Carolina. Our team is here to help keep your home safe for you and your family. We also provide carpet, hardwood, Oriental and area rug, and tile and grout services alongside our air duct and dryer vent cleaning for your home. Contact Ron’s today by phone at (864) 297-6440 or online at any time!
