ServiceMaster-Inner-Pages-Banner-Final
ServiceMaster-Inner-Pages-Banner-Final
Home » Blog » Disaster Restoration » Water Damage Restoration Tips

Water Damage Restoration Tips

    newVanSMC-300x150

    These helpful Water Damage Restoration Tips from ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons are important! Before entering a flooded building, make sure it’s safe! Check for electrical hazards. Before you start any construction or repairs, check for dangerous chemicals like lead paint and asbestos, which require professional contractors. Below are some helpful tips when faced with a water damage:

    • Act quickly 

    The damage gets worse the longer water sits and contents stay wet. Mold will grow within 48-72 hours, so remove moisture and dry out the environment within 48 hours. Call your insurance agent and understand your insurance policy.

    • Stop the source of water

    Check to find out where the water is coming from. Is it a broken pipe? A sewer back-up? Call a plumber immediately to stop the water flow.

    • Document the water damage by taking photos.

    Take photos.

    Photos are important to have to remember how the damage occurred.

    • Air out affected areas to prevent mold growth.

    Mold loves moisture and materials such as paper. In order to slow down damage, open windows, run fans to keep air moving, and maintain room temperature.

    • Assess damaged items and building materials.

    Assess the type of water that is present. In water damages where bacteria, sewage, mold are present, an inspection should be conducted by an appropriately trained specialist.

    • Expose wet areas. 

    Open hidden areas for cleaning and drying. Remove wet layers between building materials. Wet carpets can be sometimes dried by professionals, but carpet padding should be thrown away. Wood baseboards and hardwood floors can be saved with the right drying equipment.

    • Conduct a thorough cleaning. 

    Clean durable building materials like hardwood floors or joists with cleaning products and or detergents to remove possible bacteria from contaminated water.

    • Dry before rebuilding.

    To prevent further damage, do not cover wood and other wet materials until dry. A water restoration professional will make sure all areas are dry before rebuilding.

    As always, contact ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons for water damage restoration at 855-9-SIMONS

    Author

    • Nasutsa Mabwa

      Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO of ServiceMaster by Simons, a MBE/WBE City of Chicago and State of Illinois certified firm. She is a 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite awardee, a member of Crain’s Chicago Business 40 under 40 and a 2018 ServiceMaster(c) Achiever Award recipient. She is a Civic Federation Board Member, an Advisory Board Member, and Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. She is IICRC certified for WRT & FSRT.

      About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons
      Restoration By Simons is an MBE/WBE certified firm and family-run company serving Northern Cook County, Northern DuPage County, and Lake County Illinois. Recently, the company was awarded a variety of honors, including the 2024 Chicago Star Award, SB100 Best of Small Business Award Winner 2021, Bronze Stevie® Award in the Female Entrepreneur of the Year category in the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, recipient of the 2020 Better Business Bureau's Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, and the recipient of the 2020 Skokie Business of the Year Award, Honorable Mention Category. Restoration By Simons provides disaster restoration services including water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage restoration, mold remediation, to residential and commercial customers in DuPage, Cook, and Lake Counties IL.

      LinkedIn Profile
      Forbes Profile

      View all posts