Remodeling: Prepping after water damage

It’s the rainy season again, and that can spell trouble for home owners. One of the most dreaded types of damage that can occur to your home comes from something we all need to live; water. Whether you are facing a leak in the roof, a flooded out basement, or a burst pipe, the same basic steps apply. Your local contractor can do a lot to help you recover from water damage in Portland, OR, but if you act quickly and decisively as soon as you see damage, you’ll give the contractors many more options for repairing your home.

Call the experts and dry it out: There are many disaster recovery firms in your area. They are skilled in lighting fast assessment and can take quick action. Removing any currently wet furniture and and carpeting and setting up industrial fans as quickly as possible will help to dry your environment. They may also bring in heaters, and specialized equipment to remove any standing water. The sooner your environment is dry, the better.

Contact your insurance provider: Having proven documentation that you did your very best to reduce damage will go a long way. An insurance adjuster will attempt to determine the extent of the damage, and decide what was pre-existing.

Have a mold inspection: Once you’ve finished with the insurance adjuster, it is important to have a mold inspector investigate your property. They will collect samples from damaged surfaces and those that appear to be okay. Black mold can grow in walls where home owners can’t see it, and it is important to get a clean bill of health for your house so you can keep getting one yourself.

Once you know if black mold is a concern, it is time to call your local remodeling contractor about your water damage in Portland, OR. It’s at this time that you can consult with them on repair and time estimates, as well as what your options are. Just remember, the sooner you follow these steps, the sooner you can have your house back to a pre-loss condition.