Data from insurance companies says that the most common causes of water damage include broken pipes and houses, overflows, appliance leaks, leaks through windows and doors, and clogged toilets. Other causes of water damage include groundwater seepage, flooding, hurricanes, and sewer backups. You must use professional repair services to repair and restore the area affected by water damage. The article sheds light on a few things you must know while dealing with water damage.

Water damage repair tips
If you notice water damage in your house, here are the immediate things you must do before professionals come in:

• Switch off the electricity and plug in the source of the water leak.
• Call your insurance company.
• Move seniors, children, and pets to safe and dry spaces.
• Safeguard valuables, heirlooms, and documents.
• Wear protective gear like gloves, hard hats, and waterproof boots as you work around the damaged area.
• Remove all salvageable things to safer places.
• Remove all debris.
• Use a wet or dry vacuum to remove water if possible.
• Arrange for alternative accommodations for you and your family.
• Protect your house from any intruders till professional water damager services reach you.

What do water damage repair services do
Whether there is water damage due to leaks, pipe bursts, or flooding, these are the common steps a water damage repair service to repair and restore the affected area:

• Water extraction is the first step in water damage repair. The contractors will remove all the salvageable things and materials and extract water using pumps and other devices.
• Demolition and debris removal are the next steps, particularly if the water has damaged areas and materials that cannot be salvaged.
• Drying is the next step in using air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the damaged areas.
• An antimicrobial application helps prevent the growth of fungi, bacteria, and mold.
• They then begin the process of restoring as many salvageable items as possible that they had removed in the first stage.
• Reconstruction begins when the area is completely dry. They begin rebuilding and restoring all plumbing, electric wiring, and other construction work to its original state.

Water damage repair cost
Your homeowner insurance may cover water damage if it is caused by:

• Unexpected or accidental appliance or plumbing issues,
• Frozen or burst pipes,
• Roof leaks,
• Vandalism, and
• Ice dams.

Check your insurance policy for coverage to see if the damage to your house can be covered by insurance. If not, you may have to pay for it as out-of-pocket expenses. If there is structural damage, repair and rebuilding costs will be very high compared to just water extraction and drying. The cost of clean water damage repair ranges between $3.75 and $7 per square foot. The cost of damage caused by gray and black water is higher.

Points to consider while choosing water damage repair contractors
An important point when you employ a water damage repair contractor is that they should be close by and accessible 24 hours a day so that they can come quickly and attend to the problem or, as a first step, identify the source of water damage. Other important factors that you should consider while looking for a water damage repair contractor are as follows:

• They should have good experience dealing with end-to-end services, i.e., from water extraction to rebuilding, so you don’t have to hire multiple vendors to complete the repair.
• They should have the necessary local licenses to work as contractors and the necessary insurance to protect you against any damages.
• They should follow all the required national and local standards and guidelines applicable to contractors.
• They should offer warranties and other replacement guarantees for their services in case of any problems in the future.