Disaster strikes and the unthinkable happens, damaging your home. Your mind is racing, trying to figure out how to get everything handled like repairs, and insurance claims, all while suffering from any loss of valuable items.
What is not always the first thing on people's minds, however, is to ensure the damage doesn’t get any worse. Many insurance policies require you to take action to reduce the damage already done and to prevent further damage from occurring. Here are some actions you can take to stop damage before it gets worse.
How to Stop Smoke Damage From Spreading
If you’ve endured a small house fire, you’ll need to act fast to prevent more smoke from sticking to your belongings. Smoke will cling to just about everything and can quickly settle in, leaving your items covered in sticky soot with a strong smell.
Follow these steps to stop the damage from compounding:
Air Out the House
Once the fire has been put out, it is vital to open all the windows and doors. For ultimate airflow, place fans blowing out the windows and doors on one side of the home. This pulls in fresh air from outside and blows out the smoky air on the opposite side of the home.
Remove Contaminated Objects
Be sure to take anything that has been damaged no matter how much or how little it is damaged. Any fabric items, even if not directly damaged, should be placed outside. Fabric furniture, clothing, drapes, and any other fabric fixtures in the home should be moved outside.
How to Stop Water Damage
If you’ve suffered from a leak or a flood in your home, it can lead to major water damage. Water damage can lead to mold and sometimes even structural damage, which as you can imagine, will be very difficult to completely remedy.
Shut Off The Water
If the flood or leak was sourced from something in your home, shut the water off, immediately. It is important to know how to turn off the water to your home, especially in the sudden case of a pipe bursting. If you aren’t sure of how to shut the water off, check out our guide:
Clear Standing Water
You will want to clear up any of the water standing in the affected area(s) of your home. Your first instinct may be to grab all of your towels and mop out any of the water, however, in many instances, this isn’t enough. You may need to use a shop vacuum meant for clearing up copious amounts of water.
Hire a Professional
As long as done safely it is good to do what you can on your own, although, it is best to call in a professional restoration company to properly clean your home and mitigate damage. After a flood, for instance, the home may look completely dry, leaving you to believe the damage is gone.
Contrary to this, the walls and wood furniture in our homes are porous materials. This means the water will be soaked up like a sponge, and be growing mold without you noticing until it is too late.
Call Liberty Adjusters to Guide You Through Your Claim
Always call out a restoration company after a disaster, and when you do, call Liberty Adjusters as well! At Liberty Adjusters, we want you to get what you deserve for your insurance settlement. All too often homeowners get the short end of the stick when dealing with their insurance companies.
Liberty Adjusters will have your back and guide you through the process from start to finish. If you’ve suffered home damage, call Liberty Adjusters today at 813-922-5129.