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Water Damage 101: Dealing with the Aftermath of a Burst Pipe

Published by SEO on September 8, 2021 in category: Uncategorized

911 Restoration Water Damage AlbuquerqueYou’re probably reading this blog because you’re sitting on a giant puddle of water in your house due to a burst pipe. Icy temperatures and other problems can cause pipes to burst, cracks to develop, and connections to wither away in a matter of moments – and once the physics of fluid bodies are set in motion, there really is no stopping it.

And once the water has flooded the home, you’ve got a short window of time because it won’t be long before the liquid starts wreaking havoc. We recommend calling for a water damage company for help right away but you can do a few things on your own for damage control.

Disconnect Power and Electricity

Electrocution in water poses a deadly danger to anyone in contact with the flood. So your first priority should be to isolate the flooded region with electricity. Make sure all electrical connections in the room (or home) are turned off. Note that you shouldn’t walk into the standing water with the electricity still on. If the water is preventing you from getting to the mains circuit, you’re better off calling an electrician.

If you can’t turn off the electricity without stepping into the water – evacuate the premises and call for help.

Stop the Water at its Source

if the flooding was caused by a burst pipe, it should be relatively easy to stop the leak by turning off the main water valve. This is easier said than done for some homes if the valve is located outside the home. In this case, you may have to call water damage restoration specialists in Albuquerque.

Remove Precious Valuables

The water starts doing damage right away and it may not be possible to salvage some of the items. You can try to move the items up and out of the standing water, but you’re only delaying the inevitable. Before long, the ambient air will be saturated with water which means that condensation will start to form around your valuables. This is why it is better to vacate your belongings from the room.

Items that should be removed include anything electronic, wooden furniture, carpets and carpet padding, and paper. If the stuff is too heavy for you to carry on your own, ask someone for help or call a water damage company in the Albuquerque region.

Get in Touch With Your Insurance Provider

Your homeowner’s insurance policy probably has covered water damage. Confirm this with your insurance provider if you don’t know. It’s important to initiate the claims process as soon as possible. Your insurer may send a claims adjuster to document all the damage or may ask you to send photos of the damage – this ultimately depends on your insurance provider.

Start Documenting the Damage

Regardless of what your insurance provider says, you should start documenting all of the water damage to your house and try to speed up the claims process. Simply take your phone out and make videos or pictures with your phone. Make a list of all items that the water has touched, including your belongings as well as the structure of the house.,

Get Rid of the Standing Water

In minor cases, you may be able to clean up the standing water on your own using a mop and bucket. However, makeshift solutions won’t be very effective in drying the area. This means bacteria and mold will likely spread around the place like wildfire.

If you decide to go down the DIY route, try to rent specialized tools for water removal and drying. If you don’t have time or tools to remove the water quickly, we recommend hiring a water damage cleanup company in Albuquerque. Your local 911 Restoration team will get rid of the standing water and start water remediation services to minimize the damage done.

Dry the Home

Once you’ve removed the standing water, it’s important to dry the air with the help of dehumidifiers and high-volume fans. This will limit the spread of mold and prevent further structural damage to your house. Regular fans will not do the job fast enough.

You can find most of the tools at rental companies near you.

Clean and Disinfect the Place

With  your home thoroughly dried, it’s time to start cleaning after any mold and bacterial presence that may have grown on and around the surfaces. Try to clean everything with water and soap water. Note that if the presence of mold is limited to a small region, you can get rid of it using bleach. However, if mold has spread to a large region around the house, you should hire mold remediation specialists in Albuquerque.

Restore the Damage

Now that the damage has been dealt with, it’s time to rebuild the damaged area. Your repairs will be dictated by the type of damage that you’ve undergone. I most cases, this will include installing new drywall, replacing the insulation, replacing the carpet, and repainting the entire room.

Finally, we recommend hiring a reputable water damage company in the Albuquerque region. The good news is that your local 911 Restoration team is ready to provide you with speedy help and emergency services, allowing you to get back on your feet in no time.

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