Restoring Older Homes With Water Damage

Experiencing a major flood or leak is stressful in any building, yet the excess moisture could cause major problems for an older house that already has structural problems. Even a minor leak or a small flood from heavy rains could damage a decades-old house and cause thousands in repairs.

Water restoration in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is the best way to mitigate water damage. Professional water damage restoration teams can quickly return the house to its original condition. Still, it's important to know the right steps to take if your old house sustains water damage. 

7 Steps To Repair an Older House With Water Damage

It doesn't matter why your old house has water damage. Unless you address the issue quickly, the problem will continue to worsen. Mitigating water damage can be overwhelming, but following these steps could help.

1. Take Safety Precautions

Your first reaction to a burst pipe or an overflowing appliance might be to rush into the room immediately and try to stop the water. This reaction is dangerous because the water could touch electrical wiring, outlets, or switches. If the electricity is still active, you could electrocute or shock yourself if you touch the water. 

Always shut off the house's electricity before trying to stop an overflow or leak. You might also need to shut down your home's gas and water lines depending on the severity of the leak or flood.

Don protective gear like rubber boots, non-porous gloves, and a respirator before entering the room. Bacteria, viruses, and germs from contaminated water from tubs, washing machines, toilets, and elevated rivers could put your health at risk.

2. Identify the Water Leak's Source

After implementing safety precautions, look for the source of the leak if you don't yet know it. Turning off the main water supply might stop the water from flowing if the water flowing inside your old house is due to the plumbing,

You need to learn where the water is coming from to know if it's sanitary or contaminated. This information plays a big role in water restoration in Port St. Lucie.

3. Contact Your Insurance Company

Your next step should be to contact your homeowner's insurance company and file a water damage claim. Your policy might exclude specific types or sources of water damage, so you'll need to speak with an agent about your situation. Be sure to document all the damage by photographing the affected areas and notating the items that may need repair or replacement. 

4. Protect Your Valuables

Leaving valuables and furniture inside the room while dealing with water damage puts your belongings at further risk of damage. While wearing the protective gear, quickly relocate your valuables. If the room has area rugs or wood furniture, it's best to move them for protection as well.

5. Call a Water Damage Restoration Company

Your second phone call should be to a reputable water damage restoration company. If the water damage only consists of a few inches of water in a small area, you might be able to handle the restoration process without professional help. However, a major flood with clean water or any amount of contaminated water will require the skills, equipment, and expertise of a water damage restoration professional, especially for an older home. 

Water damage restoration teams in Port St. Lucie will respond quickly to calls regardless of the day or time. Still, if you want to handle the restoration alone, you must act within 24 to 48 hours of the flood to minimize the risk of mold growth and extensive water damage. 

6. Eliminate the Excess Moisture

If the house has standing water, remove it using towels, buckets, or a wet-dry vacuum. The water will likely seep into the flooring or drywall, so you might need to remove them. 

Even if it looks like you eliminated all the water from the leak or flood, moisture could be hiding in the flooring, drywall, and other surfaces. Use dehumidifiers and air movers to dry out the affected room properly. 

7. Make Repairs

After removing the water and drying your house, it's time to restore the property. Some items may be salvageable, while others may need a replacement.

As a top water and fire damage restoration company in Port St. Lucie, Florida, DRYOUTpro PLUS Disaster Restoration Service has the crew to call if your old home sustains water damage. Our full-service company has over 30 years of experience restoring residential and commercial properties with our restoration services, including smoke damage and water restoration in Port St. Lucie.

Request an appointment with our certified restoration crew at (772) 362-2788.