Water is flooding your home from a burst pipe, a broken washing machine or dishwasher — you have water damge — what do you do now? There are some basic steps you should always take after a water leak to prevent further damage and mold from becoming an issue later.
- Not all water is the same. There are actually three catagories of water. Catagory 1 water is clean and not hazardous. Catagory 2 water has a low level of hazardous material that has built up in the water. Catagory 3 water is extremely dangerous and can cause serious health issues. You can’t tell just by looking at the water leak what you are dealing with.
- Sometimes you need to disinfect after a water leak. If the water is Category 2 or 3 it’s very important to disinfect the areas affected with an antimicrobial disinfectant solution.
- Water can go where you can’t see it. You may have dried up the water you see, but often water can seep into walls and is not visible. Special cameras and detection equipment can determine the extent of the water damage.
The most important thing after water damage is to get the facts and know your options. Ask questions! A qualified repair specialist is not afraid of your questions and will review with you all of your options.
For our free fact sheet Tips for Handling Water Damage: 10 Things You Should Know, click the button below:
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Photo by Dottie Mae