Water Damage Do’s and Don’ts

If you have had your home flooded from a broken pipe or other clean water flood source then below are some steps to follow to try and minimize damage to your personal property. Remember to use sound judgement in these steps; if you could receive an injury or if potential harm may come to you or someone assisting you, then skip that step for overall safety.

The Do’s list to minimize damage:

  • Turn off the water if possible.
  • If safe to do so, and have safe access, turn off circuit breakers supplying electricity to the flooded areas.
  • Remove any small electrical devices from the wet areas.
  • Remove small furniture items to minimize furniture stains or rust and to speed up drying.
  • Put wood blocks or aluminum foil under legs of heavy furniture.
  • Lift draperies off carpet. tie drapes together or use a coat hanger.
  • Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying.
  • Dry off wet furniture by wiping with a towel.
  • Remove wet area rugs and hang to dry.
  • Open furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage to promote drying.
  • Move photos, paintings and art objects to a safe, dry location.
  • Remove books, shoes, paper goods, fabrics, potted plants or other items that may stain the carpet (check especially under beds and in closets for these items).
  • Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
  • Remove and secure breakables, moisture sensitive or high-value items.
  • Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible.
  • If damage occurs during a cool season, leave heat on; if in summer, use an air conditioner if possible (provided water has not entered the ducts).

Things that you should NOT do:

  • Do not enter rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
  • Do not use electrical appliances and outlets in wet areas.
  • Do not use an ordinary household or shop vacuum to remove water. It can cause damage to the vacuum or result in electrical shock to the user.
  • Do not attempt to clean up contaminated (sewer) water.
  • Do not turn on fans, heating or air conditioning units if water is sewage-related as they may spread the contamination.
  • Do not walk on wet surfaces any more than necessary in order to minimize safety hazards and to keep from spreading damage and possible contaminants.
  • Do not lift tacked down carpet without professional help (lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinkage).
  • Do not place newspaper on wet surfaces since newspaper ink transfers easily.
  • Do not wait to call for professional help.

5 Items Waiting to Flood Your Home

Water can have a devastating effect on the personal items and the structure of your home if a flood should occur. One moment everything is okay, and the next, water is everywhere. Dry Out Systems has identified five items in your home that can wreak havoc in a matter of minutes. These items are used regularly throughout your home. They see a great deal of use and are easily forgotten about. Use this list to inspect these items and to remind yourself of their age to see if replacement may be around the corner.

Hot Water Heater Tips

HOT WATER HEATER

  • About 75 percent of tank water heaters fail by the time they’re 12 years old
  • 70 percent of water heater failures are from leaks or burst tanks
  • What to look for: Check your water heat tank regularly for leaks. Have your water heater tank maintained on an annual basis. Have your water heater tank inspected to include flushing the tank, inspecting the anode rod, examining shut-off values and checking water heater piping. Installing a catch pan with a drain to channel water out on older water heaters in case of a small leak is a good practice.
  • Replace your water heater every 10 years.

Average damage cost estimate: $4,600


Dishwasher Tips

DISHWASHER

  • Your home’s dishwasher has a life span of about 10-12 years.
  • What to look for: Inspect the drain line where it connects to under-sink plumbing. Check the water supply line. If a leak is present replace immediately. It is recommended to use a steel braided hose over the standard hose to increase its longevity.
  • This is something everyone does from time-to-time but it is not recommended: you shouldn’t run the dishwasher while away from home.

Average damage cost estimate: $5,700


Air Conditioner Tips

AIR CONDITIONER

  • If you have an attic air conditioner be aware if it leaks it can cause a great deal of water damage due to its location.
  • What to look for: check to see if you have a secondary drain line and drain pan overflow switch, if not consider having one installed.
  • Have your air conditioner maintained on a regular basis to include checking the refrigerant level and changing the filter.

Average damage cost estimate: $5300


Washing Machine Tips

WASHING MACHINE

  • More than half of all water damage occurring in homes is due to washing machine hoses breaking.
  • What to look for: Inspect hoses once a month. Look for signs of damage to the hoses such as cracks, bulges, discoloration, even kinks. Have a professional replace damaged hoses.
  • Turn off the water supply to the washing machine when you go on vacation.

Average damage cost estimate: $6400


Refrigerator Tips

REFRIGERATOR

  • The main cause for refrigerator water leaks is the ice-maker
  • The life span of an ice maker is less than that of the refrigerator, as low as five years.
  • What to look for: Check to see if you have copper water lines, consider replacing with braided steel as an alternative. Inspect the water supply line located behind the refrigerator annually. Check the compression nut and tighten if loose to prevent a slow drip from causing water damage.

Average damage cost estimate: $3300

Dry Out Systems can assist if any of these household items should ever leak and cause water damage. Our quick response and professional water removal and water restoration services will get your life back to normal as quickly as possible. Please contact us immediately if you experience a water emergency.

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