What is Water Damage?
Water damage can come from several different situations. Along with storm runoff and high waters from flooding, there are a number of other ways water can cause damage:
- Frozen pipes that have burst.
- Leaky roofs that allow rain.
- Water leaks from appliances (dishwasher, ice maker).
- Overflow from toilet or bathtubs.
While the recovery steps for each are similar, we will focus on major water damage from storms or floods for this article.
How to Recover From Water Damage
In the unfortunate event that your home has suffered flood and water damage, it is imperative that recovery begin as soon as possible. However, you should try and maintain a sense of calm and know that there is a systematic approach to getting your home back to normal.
Being safe is imperative. Only return to your home once authorities have given clearance and use abundant caution.
Disconnect All Utilities
Disconnect all of your utilities before entering your home. Your power may already be off due to storm damage, but you should always double check. If the waterline is above your electrical outlets, you will need an electrician to determine if it is safe to enter. Also, water supplies may be contaminated. Make sure that you have access to clean drinking water. Lastly, if your home has a gas line, turn it off outside your home to make sure there aren’t any leaks. If you smell gas, call your utility company immediately.
Contact Your Insurance Company
It is critical that you contact your home’s insurance company as soon as possible. Along with your homeowner’s policy, they will help you go through the policy’s coverage and limitations to help you receive available funds in a timely manner.
Most homeowners insurance policies generally do not cover water damage caused by flooding. However, they may cover other types of storm damage, such as to your roof or siding. To protect against flood damage, you would typically need a separate flood insurance policy, either through a private insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program.
Document Everything
The old adage is “a picture is worth a thousand words” and with damage recovery it is really true. Taking pictures or videos of the destruction that your home has suffered can aid you greatly in describing and documenting what has occurred. This can help with your homeowner’s claim. It will also help with the adjuster in figuring out the financial aspect for your losses.
Begin Clean Up
Cleanup should begin within 48 hours after you have been given the okay to re-enter your home. This is critical as mold and mildew can begin to spread very quickly.
You should always wear protective gear when cleaning water damage. Rubber boots and gloves, protective clothing, and face masks are strongly recommended to help keep you safe and healthy during this cleanup period.
Water Removal
All of the water that has entered your home needs to be removed. Whether by pumping if out with a sump pump or removing with buckets and mops, all areas will have to have water removed. Sometimes this can be more than a homeowner can manage, especially if there is sewage waste in the water. A professional restoration company that has post-flood cleanup experience can handle your situation effectively and safely.
Remove Everything
Everything that water has touched should be removed either for disposal or to be cleaned. Solid wood furniture can be set out to dry, while upholstered pieces need to be accessed for salvage potential. Most mattresses, electronics and appliances will need to be disposed of due to water damage. It is important to keep records of what you have to throw out for insurance purposes.
Once all of the furnishings have been removed, the flooring should be taken up. All of the carpet and pad will need to be ripped out for replacement. Some hardwood floors and wood trim may be salvageable, but more than likely all flooring will need to be taken up to access the subfloor for cleaning and mold removal if necessary. It is crucial to remove everything so the next steps of cleaning and drying out can proceed.
Cleaning
When floodwaters invade your home, it does more than just damage the contents. It can carry bacteria, hazardous waste materials, and untreated sewage. Being exposed to the remnants of this can cause respiratory problems, skin rash, and other illnesses.
You should use detergent and bleach in cleaning off surfaces to make sure they are disinfected. You should also have mold remover in case you spot any black mold growth. This will be especially for walls, floors, shelving, closets, and any belongings that you were able to save. Simply because a surface or article was not directly in contact with water doesn’t mean they aren’t potentially contaminated. As mentioned earlier, make sure you are wearing protective gear while cleaning.
Ventilate and Dry
Now that you have cleared the flooring and belongings out of your space, it’s time to ventilate and dry out the affected areas. This is imperative to hold any mold growth at bay while working to recover. By utilizing wet/dry vacuums, blower fans, and dehumidifiers you can accelerate the drying process. You should also leave all windows open to allow for fresh air to circulate. Drying time can be between 72 hours to a week, depending on how extensive the damage and how high the water level was.
It may be beneficial to have a professional assist in the drying process as they can help reduce the chance of mold occurring.
Demolition
To assist in drying out your home and also help prevent any potential mold growth, demolition of your home down to the studs should occur. You should also strip any damaged flooring and subflooring out too.
Removing drywall that has water damage is something most homeowners can do by themselves. Water can wick up the drywall a couple of inches higher than the waterline shows. For safety, cut drywall about a foot higher that the waterline. You may see a higher water mark on the studs, but those should dry out in a couple of days.
After the drywall has been removed, any insulation that was behind the sheetrock will also have to be removed. Any wet insulation should be cut and not pulled down.
It is important to also look for water that may be hidden in low level cabinets and drawers. Cabinets made from plywood will probably be okay after drying out, but those constructed of pressboard or particleboard may need replacement. If you have a kitchen island water may be lurking underneath.
Remove any interior doors that came into contact with water. Leaving them upright can cause them to warp. Take them off the hinges and lay them flat. You can stack doors to dry with spacers between them to allow for air movement. Using a fan will help speed this process.
Professional Assessment
Before any repairs can begin, you will need a detailed examination of your property. A professional restoration company can assist you in making your home ready for repairs. Professionals can look for and fix any remaining mold problems, make sure your electrical system is up to code, and even evaluate your air quality. Restoration companies have the equipment to ensure that your home is ready for the repair and rebuilding process.
Home Restoration
After addressing the structural and safety issues, you can proceed with renovation and remodeling. This will involve replacing flooring, painting walls, installing new fixtures, and enhancing the overall aesthetics of your home. Use this opportunity to make improvements that boost your home's resilience and functionality.
During the renovation process, keep detailed records of all expenses, contracts, permits, and communications with contractors and insurance companies. This documentation will be invaluable for future reference, potential tax deductions, and resolving any disputes that may occur. It is also strongly advised to check the credentials of anyone offering to work on your home. Hire only licensed and insure contractors.
Lowe’s is here to assist you before and after any type of flood damage. See our Flood Preparedness & Recovery page for products and information to help you get back to normal.