When your property suffers a loss due to water damage, it can be easy to lose sight of everything and panic. Your first thought might be about how much it’ll cost to repair or restore your property. You may think about how long it could take to recover. This could lead you to make mistakes when filing an insurance claim or may cause you to delay action. In either case, you could be doing more harm than good.
If you want to help ensure nothing else goes wrong after your property suffers water damage, avoid these common water damage restoration mistakes.
Common Water Damage Restoration Mistakes to Avoid
1. Waiting Too Long To Begin Cleanup
The longer water is left unchecked on your property, the more damage it can cause. Personal items, structural material, carpets and flooring, and other parts of your home or business are at serious risk for water damage. Don’t delay cleanup as soon as you notice water damage.
2. Failing to Address the Root Cause
Cleaning up water is a great first step, but if you fail to address the root cause of water damage—you’ll be stuck in an endless cleaning cycle. Whether it’s an appliance leak, roof leak, water line leak, or similar cause, have it repaired immediately?
3. Not Accounting For Hidden Dangers
Let’s say water made its way onto your pristine hardwood floors. Your first instinct would be to clean up the water and dry the surface. However, if you don’t address water that could have seeped through the planks, you’re not fully accounting for all water damage possibilities. Whenever you spot water damage, give a thorough inspection of the surrounding area.
4. Missing The Details
While not every cause for water damage can be prevented, there are some things you can do to help yourself avoid it. One key detail is regular plumbing maintenance. A biannual (or at the very least an annual) inspection of your plumbing system can help you get ahead of water line leaks and more.
Related Article: How Much Does Water Damage Affect Home Value?
5. Using the Wrong Water Damage Restoration Equipment
You wouldn’t try performing car maintenance without the right tools. The same concept applies to water damage restoration. A professional water damage restoration company has the tools needed to properly remove water, dry all affected areas, and ensure the property is revived when they’re finished. Most homeowners probably don’t have equipment beyond some fans, a dehumidifier, and a mop.
6. Incomplete Water Removal and Drying
If you’re not using the right equipment, it’s unlikely that you’ll remove all moisture and get the area dried properly. Any water left behind can cause additional damage. You need to double-check any water-damaged areas to ensure you got all water out and left the area dried.
7. The Do-It-Yourself Homeowner
You may be tempted to handle all aspects of water damage yourself, including dealing with your insurance company. This can be an extremely time-consuming and stressful process. Not to mention you’ll need to properly document the process every step of the way.
If that all sounds like too much, leave it to a professional water damage restoration company. A company like DRIRITE® can handle the entire project, including documentation and working with your insurance company.
8. Neglecting Safety Precautions
Several safety hazards come with water damage. If the cause was a sewer backup or leak, you could be dealing with toxic or harmful substances. If water is near electrical outlets or appliances, you could put yourself in danger by trying to walk through standing water. As a homeowner, you may not know of these and other dangers, but the professionals do. Call them instead of putting yourself in danger.
9. Lacking Proper Documentation for Water Damage Restoration Claim
If you fail to produce the proper documentation for your water damage claim, you may not receive full compensation for repairs and restoration. You’ll need to list any damaged items with detailed descriptions and take pictures of the damage.
DRIRITE® can help you with this process and work with your insurance company to ensure they have all the right documentation for your claim.
Related Article: Water Damage Restoration Checklist
You Can Trust DRIRITE® for Professional Water Damage Restoration
For over 40 years, DRIRITE® has provided reliable water damage restoration services in Tampa bay communities. Using state-of-the-art equipment, our team can clean, dry, and restore your property to its pre-loss condition. We’ve helped countless clients recover from water damage. Call us today at (813) 419-6292 or contact us online.
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Campbell is a highly experienced professional specializing in structural drying, mold remediation, and environmental consulting. With certifications such as OSHA HAZWOPER, council-certified microbial remediator, and state of Florida licensed mold remediator, he offers tailored solutions to clients at DriRite. With specialized training from the IICRC, Mike is equipped with advanced skills in categories such as applied structural drying, commercial drying, and water damage restoration. This expertise allows him to deliver comprehensive and effective solutions to water-related issues. His dedication to providing exceptional service and expertise makes him a valuable resource in the field.
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