If you walk into your Columbia home and see your basement flooded, your first response may be to panic and wonder what to do or who to call. Water damage emergencies often catch us unexpectedly and can happen anywhere, at any time, and from a number of different causes. Knowing how to respond will help get the situation handled quickly and correctly. From the professionals at Sincerely Yours, here is what you need to know if you find water flooded in your home:
The most important thing following any form of water damage in your home is safe. Before entering the area, turn off all power to the affected area. Avoid turning on any appliances while standing on wet floors. If the ceiling is sagging, bowing, or leaking large amounts of water, do not enter the room. Use extreme caution when walking on wet surfaces. Because water can carry harmful contaminants, make sure to avoid contact with your skin. The single best thing you can do for your safety, and the safety of your family, is to call a water damage restoration company that has the proper tools, equipment, gear, training, certification, and experience to handle the situation carefully.
Your home has a main water shut-off valve located somewhere on the premises. Knowing where and how to shut off your home?s main water supply can greatly decrease the amount of water allowed to flood into your home from pipes, appliances, and other indoor fixtures. The first step to mitigating damage, and getting the disaster cleaned up, is stopping the flow of water. If you do not know the location of your water main, you won?t be able to shut it off in case of an emergency. Typically the water main shut off valve will be located near the front foundation wall in the basement, within 3-5 feet of where the main water enters. It is also commonly located in a mechanical room or near the water heater or furnace. In some homes, it can be found under the kitchen sink. If you are unsure where your water main valve is located, and if you do not know how to turn it on and off, a professional water damage restoration company can help you find it and show you how to work it.
Keeping an accurate record of your belongings damaged by water, even using photos for documentation, will help you know what needs to be repaired or replaced. If it is safe to do so, remove as many items from the damaged areas as possible to reduce water exposure and mitigate damage. All valuables should try to be saved and cleaned off as quickly as possible. If you are able to submit a claim to your homeowner’s insurance, you will need to show proof of damage so records and photos will definitely help with that process.
Sincerely Yours Cleaning and Restoration is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide a quick response to your water damage emergency. We are determined to make the process as easy for you to get through as possible and will handle the entire cleanup and restoration process from start to finish. We use state-of-the-art equipment, including thermal imaging to ensure the best results. When water damage affects your home, make your first call to us right away.
Sincerely Yours is locally owned and operates on the same principle that it was founded on in 1959: integrity, honesty and great service with exceptional results.
Sincerely Yours, Inc.
1955 Legrand Road
Columbia, SC 29223
Phone: (803)-805-7476
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
