Whether it’s from a flash flood or a broken pipe, water damage can be one of the most devastating home disasters a homeowner will face. Cleaning up the mess can be back-breaking, and the threat of mold development can linger for weeks. But with quick action and 24Restore, we can make your water damage recovery as painless as possible. Time is of the essence to prevent damage so call immediately when you notice any kind of water damage in your home or business.
Put Electrical Safety First
Whenever you’re dealing with water damage near outlets or wiring, your first concern should be electrical safety. The precautions you take should be proportionate to the extent of the damage. If you have a minor leak affecting a small area, you should shut off the circuit breakers that power all wiring and outlets near the leak. Multi-room damage from a major pipe break will necessitate shutting down the entire circuit panel. If you’re recovering from a widespread flooding event and have standing water in your home, you’ll want to have your utility company completely remove the electrical meter before wading into flooded areas.
If you can’t safely access your electrical panel or have any doubt about the electrical safety of water damaged areas of your home, contact your electrical utility or a licensed electrician before proceeding.
Stop The Flow
If the water is coming from your household plumbing, the damage could be getting worse by the second. That’s why it’s important to know exactly where your home’s main water shut-off valve is and to make sure you’re able to turn it.
In many homes, the valve is in the basement, close to where the main water supply enters the home. If you’re not sure where this is, check outside your home for the location of the water meter, as the main water supply leads inside from there. In other homes, the shut-off valve may be outside the home, beneath a water meter grate. These valves will often need to be turned with a special long-handled tool called a water key. If you don’t have one, pick one up at your local hardware store.
The shut-off valve can also be sticky if it hasn’t been turned in several years. If this is the case with yours, now is a good time to give it a try and grease the threads with lubricant if necessary. When you need to turn this valve in a hurry, you won’t want to be fighting with it.
As I have mentioned in many of my blogs before, I highly recommend tagging your main shut off valve so anyone living in the home can quickly identify it if needed. If you would like the main water shut off valve tag mailed to you, email me at lisa@24restore.com and I will get one to you!
Call 24Restore at the first sign of water damage for:
Fast Response. We will have someone in route to your home within one hour to ensure the damage to your home and belongings is minimized.
Trained Experts. All of 24Restore’s water technicians have been certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to handle any kind of water damage in accordance with the S500 water drying standards.
Industry Experience. 24Restore has been handling water damage claims with insurance companies for over 20 years. We will handle your claim and work with your agent and adjuster to make the claim process seamless.
Warranty. When you choose 24Restore, you receive a 3-year warranty on our workmanship. We want to ensure your total satisfaction and we put our money where our mouth is. We also carry proper insurance with substantial limits to give you even greater peace of mind.
Don’t let the water sit there overnight or wait to hear from your insurance company. We handle water damage claims every day and can explain the typical process, allowing you to make an informed decision immediately.