What To Do When You Discover Water Damage

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage in Baton Rouge, LA.

Steps To Clean Out Water Damage In a Home

Broken pipes, leaking pipes, a burst supply line, a poorly connected supply line, an aging appliance…there are countless factors in your home that may result in water damage, many of which you may not discover until after water has begun to pool in your home. Unfortunately, once you discover sitting water in your home, chances are that the issue has existed long enough to have caused extensive damage. While you cannot undo the damage that has already been done, you can act immediately to prevent further harm. Three steps you can take right away include the following:

• Shut off the water source.
  
• Look for safety areas and turn off circuit breakers if possible.
  
• Attempt to save contents.
  
  

If the damage is extensive enough, you may want to contact a Baton Rouge, LA, water cleanup team.

Turn Off the Source

It will not help you to clean up the water damage if you do not find the source and put a stop to the leak or influx of water. The source may be a leaking pipe, a poorly connected supply line or even an open window. Once you locate the source, shut off the valve or close it off somehow.

Turn Off Breakers

If you can do so safely, turn off power in all affected areas. An electrical current that comes into contact with water can create an even greater hazard and may put you and your home in danger. However, if turning off power means wading through a pool of water, leave it be and contact a professional.

Save Your Contents

If you can do so, remove items from the affected area and try to dry them out. Even if an item is not in direct contact with water, it is at risk of becoming moldy or rotted because of the excess moisture in the air. If electronics or electrical appliances sustained water damage, toss them out. Even if they look okay, using water damaged appliances is extremely dangerous and can cause a house fire.

Dealing with water damage is no fun, but it must be done. For help with more extensive problems, contact your Baton Rouge, LA, water cleanup team.