subject: I Suffered Water Damage - Now What Do I Do? [print this page] I Suffered Water Damage - Now What Do I Do?
You've Suffered Water Damage - Now What Do You Do?
When it comes to water damage clean up, speed is of the essence. The quicker you get started, the more likely you will be able to avoid additional destruction.
Most insurance policies require you to be responsibility for making sure that all necessary steps are taken to mitigate further damage, for the simple reason that the longer you wait to begin the clean up, the more extensive and expensive the destruction becomes. And the longer something stays wet, the more likely you will be to experience additional damage such as mold problems.
Fast water removal services help you clean up quickly. It is important to call for help from a company that answers their own phones 24/7 so you can talk directly to a supervisor - not an answering service. When you are ankle-deep in water, you don't have time to wait for a call back, not knowing when or if it will come. You need a water damage contractor who is fast, but also reputable. Looking for a company that is BBB accredited, or better yet, a BBB Award for Excellence Winner, is a good place to start. Try using your local BBB website to begin your search.
The right company
Be sure to choose a water damage clean up company that will have crews on the scene quickly to remove all standing water, test the floors, walls and ceilings for moisture content, block up the furniture, set up drying equipment, and apply EPA registered mildewcide to all wet areas. A good company will also be ready and have the necessary equipment to continuously monitor the job and keep you and your insurance company fully informed throughout the drying process.
The right equipment
The right equipment will dry more than just the moisture that you can see. It will also get into the areas in the wall and ceilingcavities and other areas that you can't see. This is critical to preventing expensive, hidden problems that could show up later. The water damage cleaup contractor should have the proper moisture testing equipment to ensure that everything is completely dry at the completion of the job.
What do you do with water damage? Get it handled quickly - from a company with the right equipment and the experience and expertise to get your homeor business, and your life, back to normal.
