Getting professional Water Damage Restoration Dallas, TX, quickly is vital when facing water damage. Going through the proper inspection procedure allows you to identify any structural damage, electrical hazards, and health risks. Taking the time to record your findings will also be a huge help when it comes time to file your insurance claim. Failing to properly assess your water damage can lead to other issues down the road, like mold, rot, and even property devaluation. Use this ultimate checklist to help keep your inspection thorough and set you up for success with your restoration project.
1. Checking for Immediate Safety Hazards
Water damage can present many hazards to people in and around the affected areas. Be sure everyone involved with assessing the damage knows to take precautions when entering each room.
Electrical Safety Comes First
Water should never mix with electricity. If you know that any outlets, cords, or appliances have been exposed to water, treat them as unsafe. Avoid walking through standing water, and do not use electronics in affected areas. If possible, turn off power at your home’s breaker box before entering to assess damage. Have a licensed electrician assess any damage or water contact before turning the power back on.
Watch for Structural Warnings
Large amounts of water can cause the structure of ceilings and floors to become weak. Check ceilings for any discoloration, bulges, or cracks that may indicate water buildup from above. Listen for unusual sounds like creaking or groaning that could indicate weak spots. Do not enter rooms where the ceiling or floor may be damaged until they have been cleared by a professional.
Know What Type of Water You’re Dealing With
Understanding where the water came from can help you determine the potential health risks involved and the cleanup process. There are three types of water, listed by the IICRC as follows:
Category 1 (Clean Water): Originates from a sanitary source like your home’s supply line. This water is not harmful unless it becomes contaminated from sitting too long.
Category 2 (Gray Water): Can include water that overflows from dishwashers or washing machines. This water has become contaminated and can cause sickness if ingested or exposed to skin for too long.
Category 3 (Black Water): Usually from backed-up sewage or flooding from nearby bodies of water. Black water contains microbes and chemicals that can be harmful to your health. This type of water should never be touched without proper gear.
Determining which category of water you are dealing with should be the first step in your assessment.
2. Documenting What’s Been Damaged
Documenting your damage will help you establish a plan of action for restoration and ease the process when you are dealing with your insurance company. Getting pictures and writing everything down might seem like a chore now, but it will be helpful later.
Use Your Camera to Record Everything
Before moving or cleaning any items, take the time to walk through the affected areas and take photos. Start with wide photos that show the entire room. Take close-up pictures of obvious damage such as soaked carpets, ruined furniture, and stains on walls. Record a video walkthrough of the damaged areas if you can.
Write Down Details About Damaged Items
Begin making a list of all items that have been damaged by water. Write a description of the item, approximate age, and, if possible, the cost. Note whether the damage is structural or cosmetic. You will want this inventory when filing your insurance claim, and it will help water damage restoration experts determine what can be salvaged.
3. Finding and Measuring Hidden Moisture
Water can travel quickly when entering your home. Often traveling far from where the damage may have occurred, you won’t be able to identify all areas that need restoration just by looking.
Follow the Water’s Path
Identify where the water came in and try to determine how far it may have traveled. Water will run downward, but it can also run horizontally along subfloors and travel up into wallboard. Look for less obvious signs of water such as peeling paint, swollen baseboards, or small stains farther from the initial area.
Use Moisture Detection Tools
Restoration experts have tools that can help locate hidden water. If you have access to them, use moisture meters to determine how much water has seeped into the walls, wooden support beams, or flooring. Some moisture meters can penetrate deeper into areas that may appear to be dry on the surface. Thermal cameras are great for finding water behind walls and below floors by detecting temperature variations. These devices do not require you to make holes in your walls or floors.
4. Inspecting Building Materials and Key Systems
Now that you know where the moisture has traveled, it’s time to identify which building materials were affected and what needs to be replaced.
Flooring and What’s Underneath
Examine all floor types carefully. Carpets and padding should usually be thrown out because they absorb most of the water. With hardwood floors, check to see if the flooring has buckled or warped. If discovered soon enough, hardwood floors can sometimes be saved. Laminate floors and vinyl trap water beneath the flooring, which can ruin subfloors. Always check your subflooring, whether it is made of wood or concrete, for any water damage or soft spots.
Walls and Insulation
Look for swollen or soft spots, or discoloration on walls. Remember that water can wick upward, so you may find moisture higher than you expect. Like any absorbent material, insulation behind your walls is no match for water. Wet insulation loses its effectiveness and creates the perfect breeding ground for mold. In most cases, you will need to replace any insulation that has come into contact with water.
Checking the HVAC System
If your HVAC system was in an area affected by water, such as basements or crawl spaces, water may have infiltrated your ductwork. This can spread bacteria and mold throughout your home. Check whether your HVAC system, vents, filters, and any machinery were affected by moisture or contamination.
A good assessment is half the battle when it comes to Water Damage Restoration Dallas, TX. Checking for safety concerns, documenting all damage, tracking water travel throughout your home, and examining major building materials will help you create a knowledgeable plan of action. Trying to skip ahead will only cause more problems in the future.
If you have suffered from water damage, remember that you do not have to go through this process alone. A trained and experienced team for Water Damage Restoration Dallas, TX, can make the process easier. Best Option Restoration has the knowledge and tools to perform a thorough inspection and correct all issues, so your property is restored from the ground up.
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