As a homeowner, sometimes we have to deal with things that are unpleasant and unpredictable, like water damage. But when these situations arise, it helps to be prepared! If you’ve noticed an extreme leak in your home that has caused water damage and flooding, here are the five simple steps you should take to make sure your home is protected from extensive water damage.

Turn Off the Water

Your home can’t flood if there’s no water supply available! If you notice a leak you can’t stop in a place like your water heater, turn off the water. If there is no supply, it won’t end up in your home. Until you can get a professional out to fix the source, this is the safest way to prevent further damage.

Get Rid of the Water

If a leaky pipe or a natural disaster has dumped gallons of water in your home, it needs to be removed as quickly as possible. This is not an easy process. It will take days if all you have is a bucket or two to scoop water by hand. We recommend having a sump pump or shop vac on hand in cases of emergency so you can remove large quantities of water at once. Professional water damage cleanup teams (like us!) will have equipment to rid your house of water in no time.

Air it All Out

The key to protecting the structure of your home and preventing mold growth is ensuring there is proper ventilation to let it all air out. Open the doors and windows, if possible, use fans, etc.

Invest in a Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier is designed to suck all the extra moisture out of the air. Having an industrial dehumidifier running in the affected area of your home will allow you to reduce potential for mold growth, especially if you’re already airing out, too!

Don’t Do it Alone: Rapid Dry Offers 24/7 Water Damage Response in Tampa, FL

If you feel overwhelmed about water damage restoration steps to take in your home, we can help. Our team is available 24/7 to help you combat, and recover from, water damage in your home. Just call us at (727) 265-3353 and we’ll be there for you in an hour or less.