Water Mitigation: When To Make The Call

What is Water Mitigation? 

Water damage tends to occur when we least expect it and not always in expected ways. Water damage mitigation is the process of reducing or preventing the amount of water damage that happens after a flood or a large leak such as a burst pipe. 

Soaked carpet, damaged walls, and ruined furniture are only the beginning if mitigation is not engaged quickly.

Specific steps are taken to reduce property destruction, to prevent further water damage and to restore your property to its full value. 

When to Call For Water Mitigation

Water moves quickly through a home. Damage is more likely to become permanent the longer you wait to take action- especially if emergency response is delayed beyond the first 48 hours.

Water damage is usually caused by a plumbing failure. When moisture seeps into anything of value there are immediate steps that can be taken to reduce the amount of long-term damage that results.

Steps to take as soon as you detect flood damage:

• Remain calm so your thinking stays clear
• Call us at 831-444-0811
• Close the water main or shut off any water source so flooding stops
• Shut down the electrical breaker in damaged areas before unplugging or removing any electrical devices from the wet carpet or submerged areas.
• Put aluminum foil under legs or feet of any furniture in contact with wet carpet or water to prevent permanent staining
• Lift any curtains or draperies away from wet carpet or water
• Lift and tack up any upholstered furniture skirts
• Remove books, papers, fabrics, shoes, potted plants or other items that are able to stain wet carpet

Avoid doing these things:

• Use your home vacuum – electrical shock can result, as well as damage to the equipment
• Place newspaper in traffic areas to walk on – newspaper ink transfers easily to wet carpet fibers which results in permanent staining
• Walk on carpet any more than necessary – this keeps damage from spreading to unaffected areas

Important to Note

Shop vacuums or companies with only carpet drying equipment cannot prevent water from wicking up walls, under baseboards and molding or into sill plates. Water will penetrate through floor coverings into sub floors, eventually causing damage to rooms below.

Also, if internal building humidity is not controlled, undamaged objects safe from the original flood damage could be ruined as a result of absorbing moisture from the air. Structures not dried out quickly enough or properly will become a food source for mold, later causing a need for even more professional mold removal services.