If you have ever been in the unfortunate position of having a pipe burst in your home, a washing machine hose give way while you were gone for the weekend, or a finished basement become flooded by a 100 year storm, you know what a royal pain in the $#@ it is to clean up and remedy water damage!
There are few things that can damage a home more than water. One of the most important things you can do when faced with a water damage problem is to tackle it right away.
Without taking immediate action the threat of getting mold becomes very likely which can further increase an already expensive proposition.
If you can get take care of the water in under 48-72 hours you stand a much greater chance that you can keep the mold at bay.
If it all possibly the 1st thing that you are going to want to do is take everything out of the area where the water damage has occurred and get it into a warm and dry environment. Even if it means taking these things outside that is what you should do.
The next step will be to either get in touch with a water damage and restoration company or take the same steps they would make in getting the water re-mediated from the home.
Open doors and/or windows ~ It goes without saying that you want to get as much fresh air circulating throughout the home as soon as possible.
Purchase or rent high powered fans ~ Most of the time opening the windows is not going to be enough to dry out serious water infiltration. You are going to need to get a hold of a few large fans that circulate a tremendous amount of air. Most of the fans needed to solve a water issue are going to run at least a few hundred dollars to purchase. Renting a fan could run you about $25 – $50 a day.
Water in the basement ~ If the water is in the basement an additional suggestion would be to use a large dehumidifier which can suck all the moisture right out of the area.
Of course one of the 1st things you should determine is how the water actually got into the basement in the 1st place. Was it ground water, water from a crack or surface water that is being improperly directed towards the home. Sometimes something as simple as a gutter or downspout coming away from the home can be the culprit.
See fixing basement water problems for a complete list of possible basement water problem solutions.
Check the sump pump ~ If your basement has an operational sump pump you will want to make sure it is working properly. On many occasions a sump pump can fail causing the water to flood a basement. If you find this is the case you can always purchase a pump to get a significant amount of water out of a basement. For smaller jobs a wet vac should suffice.
When water damage occurs in your home you will be able to salvage some things but definitely not others. Some of the items that potentially can be saved include sub-flooring, hardwood flooring and linoleum provided you dry them quickly. Draperies and other such cloth goods can also be salvaged with a cleaning and disinfectant.
Most of the time you are not going to be able to save such things as insulation, drywall, plaster, laminated furniture, and carpet padding. These items absorb water very quickly and offer the perfect environment for mold to grow.
If the water damage in the home is extensive you may want to really consider hiring a professional restoration specialist that will come to your home with the whole gamete of remedies including dehumidifiers, air purifiers, fans, and special equipment to dry floors. A professional water damage specialist will also employ cleaners to quickly and efficiently dry out a water damaged home.
Beyond these typical steps, a water damage specialist may also employ the use of wall driers, sanitizers, and mold and mildew remediation techniques to ensure that what is already a bad situation doesn’t get worse over time.
When fixing water damage in a home, addressing the problem head on becomes paramount. Keep these tips in mind if you are faced with this unforeseen issue.
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About the author: The above Real Estate information on Fixing home water damage was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-435-5356. Bill has helped people move in and out of many Metrowest towns for the last 25+ Years.
Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!
I service the following towns in Metrowest MA: Hopkinton, Milford, Southboro, Westboro, Ashland, Holliston, Medway, Franklin, Framingham, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Upton, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Northboro, Bellingham, Uxbridge, Sutton, Worcester and Douglas.
Great article – especially with concerns over mold, etc. But here is another point worth mentioning:
If the water damage was from a one time event – like a water heater bursting or a pipe breaking – it may be covered by your insurance.
If the damage has occured over time – like from a dripping pipe, a slowly leaking washing machine supply hose, or a leaky window – it will most likely NOT be covered.
I’m passing your article on to my friends!
Bob thanks for your compliments on my article about home water damage and your input on the insurance ramifications.
Ohh , I myself have this “mold problem” in the basement , but it does not come from a pipe or something, and it is not water, but just humidity is very high there and mold is appearing time after time – I do not know how to move it away once and forever!
Diane many basements have high humidity. What you should purchase and use regularly is a dehumidifier. This should help solve your moisture problem in the basement.
We are always looking for where to put the dehumidifier when we look at homes with basements. At least in our area.
Hi Charles having a dehumidifier is always a smart move especially with a basement that gets damp!
Great work, I can really use this and I’m bookmarking your blog for future use. I really like your Real Estate Blog Bill and it is one of the best I have found on the net.
I loved the tip about the high powered fan to dry up a moist area up as fast as possible and prevent further damage. I will remember that for future reference. Thanks!
Thanks for posting. I know what a pain all of that is, because I am currently dealing with some water damage with the recent bad weather and flooding we’ve had. I am trying to get as much advice as possible to help the situation along. Great information, thanks again.
This is a great article. I wonder if it would be helpful to some of those in the Northeast who just got hit with tons of water damage? Of course it has already been more than 48 hours, but for some of those whose homes may be salvagable, this could be good info.
Melissa Unfortunately I am sure there are a lot of folks who are having basement water issues at the moment!
Hi Bill, I am looking into a foreclosed home which has water damage from the attic room. I don’t know when the water damage occurred. There is obvious damage to the attic, master bed and family room. The basement has been stripped of the dry wall and carpet and seems clean. Do you think its worth the buy. I am in lisle ,Illinois. It’s a 4000 sq ft home for 400,000 and was sold for 800,000 in ’04. What do you estimate the price of damage. Thanks
Hi Syed- While I would love to be able to tell you if the home you thinking about purchasing is a good buy it would be impossible for me to do so being located in Massachusetts. You do want to make sure the water damage is not an on going issue. You also want to make sure that the water damage has not created a situation where you will have a mold problem.