Leaks Happen – Be Ready!
You know the normal sounds your home makes.
The air conditioner kicking on as the dog days of summer begin. The heating system starting up on a cold, winter evening. The creak of a loose floorboard as someone rises early in the morning.
What you don’t normally hear — and you do not want to hear — are the sounds of spraying water from a broken pipe or hose, or a malfunctioning hot water tank or water filter system. Even worse is when this happens when you aren’t home and upon arrival you wade through inches of water on the floor, or duck from the dripping water from an upstairs leak.
When water damage occurs (and statistics say water damage claims are among the highest with insurance companies) you need to act quickly. The #1 concern is to think “safety first.” Before entering into any areas of the home that are damage from flood waters, be sure that the power is turned off. Nothing is worth getting an electrical shock!
What to do about leaks
Next, find the water turn-off valve and stop the flooding. Many homeowners aren’t sure where the water turn-off valve is located. Now is the time to figure that out, and even put a tag on it so it is easy to find, especially in the dark or in the beam of a flashlight. Don’t delay… find that valve and mark it!
Find the leaks if you can, and call a plumber to fix the leaks if necessary.
Pick up loose items off the floor. Do NOT remove carpeting and padding, in fresh water losses. These items do not need to be removed. Leaving them in place helps dry the building faster. And they help prevent injuries from slip and falls. Your insurance may not pay to replace them.
It’s always best to be prepared. Contact your water damage restoration contractor at Accent American and get the info you need to be safe… just in case.
