No one expects their home to flood. No one plans for pipes to burst at 2 AM. No one expects their roof to be torn off in a storm. Yet when disaster strikes, there’s a logical plan to move forward. It may feel overwhelming to be in the middle of it, but thousands of people find themselves in this position annually and come out on the other side just fine.
Those Crucial First Few Hours
Believe it or not, there’s a lot you can control after assessing the damage to your home. The more you do in those first few hours, the better. If water exists in your home, it needs to go as soon as possible, or the more it stays, the greater the chance it can infiltrate other previously dry areas. If it’s a leak, the water is turned off, and it stops right there.
People don’t often think amidst the craziness to take out their phones and document what’s happened with pictures and videos, but your insurance company will want proof, and come two months later, you won’t remember every tiny detail. In the moment—even if it seems like an insignificant detail—you will feel guilty that you didn’t include something down the line. It feels like one of the final things in a stressful situation to document, but your future self will thank you.
When Normal Cleaning Isn’t Enough
Sometimes a mop and bucket aren’t enough. If things have gotten soaked and waterlogged, it will take emergency services to remove it with specialized tools. Mold isn’t something to contend with alone, either; professional mold remediation experts know what they’re doing, and the last thing you want is mold down the line because you didn’t do it correctly on the first try.
They come prepared with specialized equipment you don’t have in your garage; industrial dehumidifiers, air movers, air scrubbers, and moisture meters—they all help assess the situation because emergency services know drywall will dry out differently than hardwood flooring, and what’s dry on top might be wet on the bottom. This is important information because many people are not prepared for secondary damage down the line.
What Restoration Experts Do
It’s not just a group of guys coming in that don’t know what’s going on. There’s a process. They assess and create action steps; they remove standing water if appropriate and begin drying/dehumidifying. After that process is complete, they will clean and sanitize everything, and repairs/rebuilding will get everything back to normal—even better with any upgrades along the way.
How long does this take? This is all dependent on the assessment; a little leak is easier than three feet of water up to the walls (but this can also be completed within a few days—better to say two to three weeks). In addition, outside temperature, humidity levels, and materials involved all play a part in drying time; however, once professionals assess the situation, they will provide an accurate timeline of expectations.
The Insurance Side of Things
Let’s face it; everyone hates dealing with insurance companies; they’re part of the process, anyway. The good thing is that insurance covers far more than homeowners think. The key is timeliness; report damage sooner rather than later, document what you can and save every receipt because every cent counts.
Many restoration professionals work hand-in-hand with insurance adjusters, taking you out of the middle; they know what’s needed in terms of documentation and where to get it instead of a long phone call chain between you, your restoration team, and your insurance agent. You will not be in the middle; let them take on that stress!
Will I Be Able To Stay In My Home?
It depends. If things are minimal, yes; there will be fans blaring, and things will feel obnoxious but not detrimental enough to warrant not being in there (fans on, etc.); however, if there are large sections of damage or water from outside sources (contamination), it makes sense to get out for a minute until things dry faster or mitigation occurs.
If you need alternative housing, talk to your insurance company; many cover this—but you need to ask (and many people are shocked to realize this is an option). However, the sooner that restoration professionals can get everything back to normal, the better—and the quicker they can safely get in there to do it, the better!
Avoiding Round Two
Once everything’s completed, it’s a perfect time to avoid this from happening again. Preventative maintenance can catch little things before they become big and expensive things down the line. At the very least, you should check your roof every year; check pipes/appliances every few years, or when new appliances get installed, and make sure gutters are free of debris so that water goes away from the foundation instead of into the foundation.
It’s also a great time to upgrade. Many forget that better materials exist now than twenty years ago when their homes were built. Your restoration team will help guide you with smart changes that need to be made.
The Bigger Picture
Your house is stronger than you think and so are you! Sure, it’s unfortunate that damage happens, and sure, you feel lousy in the process—but restoration is as successful as anything else. Homes bounce back; lives become normal again; this will all be behind you before you know it!
Professionals see this every day, so trust them. They’re experts who want you to join their ranks of success stories. One step at a time; ask questions if you’re ever uncertain. Trust the professionals – they want what’s best for you – and for themselves. Before you know it, life in your newly restored home will be back on track!
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