There is a procedure that needs to be followed if you suspect that you have water damage in your home. First you find the source. Then you repair the problem and then fix the damage that was done. So if you have water damage, follow the tips below to rid your home of the water damage.
Find the source of the damage. Sometimes this is not as easy as it seems. Water can come into your home from a variety of different sources. If you have visible cracked pipes or fixtures were the water leaks are easily seen, you are one of the lucky ones. It often happens behind walls and from above where it is not easily accessible. A leak in a bathtub seal could cause thousands of dollars of damage before it is ever noticed, so finding the leak is critical to your success in not having any water damage to begin with.
First thing you need to do is to control the leak so no more damage is done. Turn off your main water if you have to. Then call a plumber to come and fix whatever the problem is. When you discover leaks quickly and clean up as much water as possible, you will lessen the amount of damage that can occur. Over longer periods of time, the damage can be quite significant and severe. Sometimes by the time you know there is an issue, the damage has been done. A plumber will be able to assess the problem and offer a solution to getting it fixed. They may even be able to give you some references on people to help you repair the damage.
When the plumber fixes the problem you could be faced with quite a mess. It could require various different contractors to help you repair the damage depending upon its severity. You may need a general contractor, a mold remediation specialist, a drywall contractor, a painter and an electrician to come into your home and get it back to normal. This can be very expensive so assess what damage is worst and start there. Although you want to get your home back to normal, take your time and do it right. Interview different contractors and find the best price and quality. You do not want to repair a problem and end up with shoddy work.
Depending on the amount of damage, you might want to consider remodeling the entire area. If it was your kitchen or bathroom that was damaged, maybe it is time to remodel the entire area? These two areas when remodeled are great for increasing resale value. Kitchen remodels can increase the value of your home significantly, but are typically one of the most expensive remodeling projects. New appliances, countertops and flooring all can add significant money to your remodel. Bathrooms are usually less because of their size.
If you suspect that you have water damage in your home, use the tips and ideas from this article to get your home back to normal.