It’s every homeowner's nightmare: you wake up and notice that your floor is moist. Upon further investigation, you find where the water is coming from and see your bathroom shows two inches of standing water. You quickly shut off the water, but the damage is already done. What do you do?
This winter, the seemingly unpredictable ice storms in the Pacific Northwest left hundreds of people experiencing broken pipes, flooding, and water damage. Water damage in homes is often the result of a small issue, such as a leaky pipe, that slowly worsens over time. Our restoration team was ready to help with our 24/7 emergency flood response. Below are some of the best practices to restore your property:
1. Safety first
If you find standing water in your bathroom, the first thing you will want to do is secure the area. Immediately turn off the power at the circuit breaker as standing water can lead to electrical hazards. If you locate where the water is coming from, turn off the water source to stop more water from entering the area.
2. Identify the Cause
Try to identify the source and what may be causing the leak. It is often due to a plumbing issue such as a leaky pipe or clog. If you have your water turned off (as mentioned in the previous step), it may be harder to notice. If it is a minor clog, you may be able to remove it using a plunger or drain snake. However, in most cases, you will need to contact a professional plumber for repairs.
3. Seek Professional Help
Going back to our original story, you wake up to find your bathroom in two inches of standing water. After completing steps 1 & 2, your bathroom needs immediate attention. This is where Pg Long Restoration is ready to help with our 24-hour flood response team. Timing is essential with water mitigation as research shows that after 24 hours irreversible damage is more likely to occur. The longer the water sits, the more damage it does. This is why our team is ready at all hours. Simply call (855)-365-1102, and we will be on the way.
4. Drying
It sounds simple, but drying is often not done well. Buckets and towels can only do so much, and pumps and specialized equipment are needed to get it done quickly and effectively. One of the greatest dangers after a flood is mold and mildew growth, which is why it’s important to apply an antimicrobial treatment as soon as the area is dry. Use a treatment that is EPA approved and fights against bacterial reproduction. The floor is not usually the only thing affected by the water as moisture that fills the air can damage cabinets, walls, and even light fixtures. We strategically place air movers and dehumidifiers to accelerate the evaporation process and pull excess moisture from the air.
5. Cleaning/Restoration
When possible, our goal is to restore your property without you having to file an insurance claim. Our team will perform detailed mitigation and cleaning to further reduce the risk of bacteria and/or mold growth. After the mitigation is complete, our contractors will work to restore your property back to new.
When you experience a flood, it is essential to work quickly. Discovering an unexpected flood can be a nightmare, but you do not have to face it alone. Keep us in your back pocket and our team will be ready to take action whenever you need us! You’ll find mitigation and restoration services in our Portland, OR, and Boise, ID locations.
Blog post written by: Aysha Martin
