How to Restore Your Farmhouse After Water Damage
/
adobe stock photo
Water is a necessity in everyday life. However, it can also be a home’s number one enemy, especially for farmhouses which mainly feature wooden structures. Whether it is caused by a burst pipe somewhere behind the walls or natural calamities such as flooding, water damage can be a frustrating experience.
This article shares several tips and steps to restoring your farmhouse and helping you get back on your feet in no time.
Think Safety First
Whether your farmhouse sustained significant damage from a heavy storm or water came from a sewer backup, water damage can pose safety risks to you and your family.
Thus, the first thing you need to do is to ensure that you and your family are safe. If it’s still raining, don’t try to do anything. If it’s from your plumbing, find the source and turn off your main water and electric line to prevent risks of electrocution.
Also, be mindful of potentially hazardous scenarios including downed power lines, flooding or standing water, broken windows, collapsed walls, or overflowing sewer water. Evacuate your home if you think it’s unsafe for your family to stay there.
Make The Necessary Calls
Once your family is safe, you can start making calls. In general, there are two experts you need to call:
Water Damage Restoration Experts
Water damage in your home is an overwhelming experience. And an expert in water damage restoration can help you get your farmhouse back to normal, as quickly as possible. Water damage restoration professionals have the expertise, knowledge, and necessary equipment to deal with water damage properly.
That said, make sure to reach out to reputable companies like Water Damage Specialist, a well-known water damage restoration service in Australia. Visit their website to know more about their services.
Regardless of which company you choose, make sure to do your homework and find a contractor that won’t overcharge you and still provide quality service.
Insurance Companies
It’s important to call your insurance provider as soon as possible and let them know that water damage has occurred in your farmhouse. You can discuss and explain the source of water and any visible damage caused to your home.
Also, your insurance agent should guide you through the steps to make a claim. Once filed, your insurance provider will send an adjuster to check and assess the damage to your home before payments can be issued.
You want to make sure that you’re home when the adjuster arrives so you can show and explain the issues and ensure an accurate claim estimate.
Document Damage
Ideally, you should have enough photo and video evidence to provide to your insurance company when making a claim. So, go around your property and do a full inspection and assess the extent of the water damage.
Get your camera or phone and start taking clear photos and videos of the damage to your interior and exterior. Just be cautious during inspection since water may have compromised your farmhouse’s exterior, which may cause accidents.
Some of the potential damage to watch out for are:
Moisture damage
Basement flooding
Broken, missing, or loose shingles
Damaged or broken appliances or furniture
Broken windows and doors
Dented solar vents and gutters
Leaks on walls and ceilings
Make sure to get a clear shot of any of these issues and more, no matter how small they may be.
Start Removing Water
Whether there’s standing water or it already seeped into your home’s structure, you can start the drying process while waiting for the water damage restoration specialists to arrive.
If you have standing water, you can sweep it out of your home or use a dry and wet vacuum to extract the water. Make sure to open all windows and doors to allow proper ventilation. Run dehumidifiers and fans to dry things out. Also, remove all wet items including cushions, rugs, and appliances among others from the area.
You want to remove as much moisture as possible from the area to prevent mold buildup and further damage to your home’s structure. While you’re at it, you should also start cleaning your farmhouse of any debris that came with the water.
Once the water damage restoration contractor arrives, you can leave full repair, remediation, and restoration tasks to them.
Takeaway
Water damage can result in devastating losses both personally and financially. Water wreaks havoc on a farmhouse’s wooden floors and walls as well as on foundations and furniture, causing mold and serious health complications.
Fortunately, homeowners can follow the above steps to reduce the impact of water damage and restore their farmhouse back to its former glory in no time.
