Understanding Water Damage

7/6/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage can happen in your home at any time. Here at SERVPRO of Northwest Ontario we are ready to assist you with your restoration needs. There are a couple tips that can assist you in noticing and limiting water damage in your home.

•  Identifying the source

Sometimes the source of water is easy to find, such as an overflowing washing machine. However, sometimes the issue is a pipe in the wall or a slow leak under the sink. As a home owner it is always important to be vigilant. Some signs of water damage are: standing water, discoloration, musty odors, and in some cases mold. Knowing where the water is will assist you in where to shut off the water. Most fixtures in your home have angle stops that will stop the flow of water to the appliance or plumbing fixture. Some homes have a water shut-off valve in the home and most homes have a main shut-off valve commonly by the street. It is important that whatever the source of the water is repaired or replaced by a professional.

• Minimizing the damage

While we cannot plan for when a water loss will happen we can control what happens after. Remember that most water losses happen in the Kitchens, Bathrooms, Laundry Rooms, and Water Heater Areas. Water will take the path of least resistance. Shut off the source of water from its source or from the main to your home. If you are able to, move contents such as furniture away from the water or put them on blocks. If safe, or if you want to remove as much of the standing water as possible using rags, towels, or a wet/dry vacuum. Keep note that water can travel underneath floorings such as solid wood and wood laminate as you step on it, so try to limit the traffic in that area. The next step is to call your insurance company and a water restoration company such as us so that we can inspect the damage and come up with and execute a plan to dry your home. It is always better to have a restoration company come out as soon as possible to start the drying process to avoid secondary damages such as mold.

• Time Frame

Remember, minimizing the damage will not stop the damage. Materials such as wood and drywall will absorb damage. Additionally, avoiding secondary damages depend on the source of water as well as time taken to remove said water from the affected materials. Water can wick up drywall at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour and wood 1/2 inch an hour. Given that we are able to get to your home and start work promptly our goal is to minimize any damage and necessary demolition in your home.