How Do Professionals Remediate & Restore Water Damage After a Flood or Leak in Pittsfield, IL?

Experiencing water damage in your home can be traumatic and when it happens you will need to figure out the cause, consequences and how to clean it up to ensure that all issues associated with it will be overcome the right way. American Hometown Services answers some common questions about water damage restoration.

What Causes Water Damage?

After a natural disaster like a hurricane or a thunderstorm, you might experience flooding. If you have pipes that burst or an appliance that malfunctions. Leaky roofs or foundation leaks, poor drainage from landscaping or a septic tank overflowing will all cause issues with water coming into your home. With flash floods, burst pipes or backed up sewage, it can be even more scary because they can allow several inches of water into your home in one day.

How Dangerous is Water Damage?

There can be dangerous contaminants in the water that gets into your home if the source is from outdoor floodwater or sewage backups. These contaminates include viruses and bacteria. If cleanup isn’t started within 24-48 hours, mold growth and structural damage can occur and it doesn’t t always have to be rapid flooding either. It can occur slowly to have these issues too and if it isn’t taken care of, it will spread throughout your home at a fast rate.

How Do You Clean Up After Water Damage?

The first thing you need to do is call professional to come deal with it. The faster, the better because if flood water isn’t taken care of right away, it allows for mold to start growing in the wood, walls and carpet. Then you’ll need to get in touch with your insurance company to make a claim. Shut off the utilities in your home if it’s safe to do so to prevent further damage. If you suspect structural damage, stay out of your home. If the electricity hasn’t been turned off stay out of the floodwater to avoid contaminants.

How Do Professionals Remediate Water Damage?

Step one is to remove all the damaged materials. They will need to be thrown away if they can’t be restored. These materials include furniture, upholstery, carpet and padding, insulation, fragile woods and baseboards or anything else that has been in contact with the floodwater. Step two is to dry out all the water, followed with disinfection. Professionals use specific tools in the process like air movers and dehumidifiers to speed up the process. Professionals also handle damage caused by mold and any surfaces that are affected with mold will be disinfected and restored as quickly as possible. Preventing mold growth is crucial.

Does Insurance Cover Water Damage?

In the case of sudden or accidental flooding, like a burst pipe or an appliance malfunction, it’s covered. Flood damage is not covered by homeowner’s insurance regardless of the source of the water. Additional coverage can be purchased for flooding produced from storms, overflowing rivers, ponds, lakes, oceans or from sewer backup and can be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program. Keep in mind that if it’s been determined that flood damage occurred through neglect by the homeowner or lack of maintenance, it will not be covered.

Water Damage Restoration & More in Quincy, Macomb, Hamilton, Warsaw & East Alton Illinois | Hannibal, Missouri

The best way take care of water damage in your home is quickly. If you have experienced the unfortunate event of water damage in your home, you can contact American Hometown Services to take care of it for you. Contact us today!

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