Water damage can leave you in a position where you’re not sure how to act. Not only is your home or property affected by the water itself, but there may be a variety of other issues present, not to mention potential health hazards as well. An important step you need to take before you begin the repair and reconstruction process is making sure that the structure is dried out. While a flood or burst pipe can cause damage in seconds, the drying process is a lot more drawn out. If you’re not ready to buy equipment or spend a lot of time you should go with an IICRC Certified Technician.
First, it is essential to know that in response to water damage, the dry out is generally in the middle of the process rather than at the beginning. Before and during the drying process, you need to use items like dehumidifiers to cut the chance of mold growing, as well as remove any standing water. This standing water could pose a potential health hazard, and it won’t be safe for you or any restoration professionals so we highly recommend to you take action now before it's too late. Other potential safety issues that are worth looking out for include:
Making sure power is off to the building or home
Checking for any gas odors or leakage
Making sure the building is sound
Generally, this only applies to major flooding situations, so you can skip this step for smaller water damage that’s confined to one area or one room. Another good idea to do before you dry is to take photos of the home for insurance purposes.
