How to Handle Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage can destroy a home.

Burst pipes, broken washing machines and bad weather are all guilty of causing water damage in your home. Not only does water destroy furnishings and flooring, unless it's extracted immediately and properly, it can also cause mold and bacteria to grow and create further damage to walls, ceilings, flooring and the interior structure of your home.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Wet dry vacuum
• Carpet knife
• Pen
• Paper
• Camera
• Crowbar
• Saw
• Box fans
• Oscillating fans
• Disinfectant
• Sponges or old towels

1. Turn off the water at the source of the leak if the water damage is caused by a broken appliance or pipe in the home. It may be necessary to turn off the water at the main source, which is typically outside or in the basement.

2. Call your insurance agent as soon as you discover the damage. Even if the leaks or damage occur at night, most insurance companies have a 24-hour emergency number available to meet your most-immediate needs, such as the removal of standing water. Follow the company's explicit instructions so you don't void your claim.

3. Move dry furniture and valuables to safe areas of your home.

4. Remove water with a wet dry vacuum if it is not dangerous to do so, and if a professional water extraction company is not on its way -- and if the insurance company tells you it is permissible to do so. You minimize the damage water causes by removing it as soon as possible.

5. Cut away wet carpet with a carpet knife and place it outside where mold won't have a chance to grow or transfer to other home surfaces.

6. Remove wet items and place them in a dry staging area in your garage or in a covered area outside for later cleaning or trash removal. Remove any items from boxes to salvage them, if possible.

7. Discard small, destroyed items after you take a written inventory and photographs of the damage. Later, retrieve original receipts or manufacturer's warranties for your insurance claim. Do not dispose of high-dollar items such as furniture, antiques or electronics until authorized by your insurance company.

8. Remove wet baseboard and kick plates by pulling them away from the wall with a crowbar.

9. Cut away any wet wallboard or paneling, cutting at least 12 inches beyond the wet places so that mold doesn't have a chance to grow. Take care not to cut through wires or pipes within the walls.

10. Pull out and discard affected insulation.

11. Remove and discard all wet ceiling materials.

12. Disinfect all floors and surface areas by wiping them down with a surface-appropriate anti-bacterial cleaning solution and sponge.

13. Aim fans at wet walls and surfaces to help eliminate all damp from your home. If the weather is mild, aid the drying process by opening windows.

14. Clean furniture and personal items once authorized by your insurance agent. For antiques, valuables or heirlooms, consult a professional on the proper way to clean or restore the item.

15. Arrange for home repairs once they are approved by your insurance company.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible, take care of, remove or dispose of all affected items within 24 to 48 hours of water damage to minimize the chance of further damage and health risks.

• Do not operate electrical equipment around standing water, to reduce the risk of electric shock.

• Do not use a standard vacuum machine to vacuum water because of the risk of electric shock.

References

• State Farm: Florida Hurricane Awareness
• AAA Emergency Services: Water Damage

Resources

• State Farm: Wet Basement Problems
• Safeco: Prevent and Detect Water Damage in Your Home