Protecting your Mahopac, NY home from water damage while you wait for help to arrive

6/22/2018 (Permalink)

It's always a shock to walk into a room of your home and discover water damage. Nobody is prepared to see their ceiling lying on the floor and water dripping everywhere. As soon as you have pulled yourself together, taking immediate action can reduce the permanent damage to your Mahopac, NY home. 

First, it is important to ascertain the type of water you are dealing with.  Water from sewage or flooding is considered black water because is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals and more. If you have black water, stay clear of the area and allow SERVPRO to perform the clean up.  While waiting for the SERVPRO of Putnam County team to arrive, avoid all contact with water and items that have been contaminated. We also advise that you leave your air conditioning and fans off to avoid spreading contaminants in the air. 

Clean water is water from the rain or from a broken pipe, or other internal water source.  If you have damage from clean water, call your plumber  immediately.  It can be difficult to find a plumber who is   immediately available to respond to your water damage so prepare ahead!  Choosing and establishing a relationship with one of our fantastic local plumbers here in the Brewster area will go a long way in getting quicker service when you have an emergency. 

Your next step is to call SERVPRO of Putnam County– we are available 24/7 to respond to your call and the sooner we get to your home, the less damage there will be. 

If you have determined that it is safe to stay in the house, the first step you want to take is to turn off the water source. This can usually be found in your basement near the front wall or near the oil burner. While you are in the basement, turning off the electrical circuit breakers for the affected areas of the home. 

Place a bucket or garbage can under the leak to catch the water. If the ceiling is bulging or the leaking is widespread, piercing a hole in the sheetrock will allow the water to flow through one spot. A broom handle works well for this.  

Remove all items that are not yet damaged, such as wall art, computers, books and documents to a dry room.  Wipe down wood furniture and cover what cannot be moved if there is still a risk of water damage. Wet upholstery cushions and small area rugs can be propped up for drying.  

Large furniture such as tables and couches can be protected by placing the legs on wood blocks. Making a protective cup out of aluminum foil for the legs is a good substitute to wood blocks if they aren't available. 

You will want to call your home insurance company to report the claim. You can document the damage in your home by photographing damaged items and the water source itself. 

Although it can take a few days for the adjuster to come to your home, do not throw away any water damaged items. The adjuster will need to inspect them himself in order to give you compensation for replacement. Your adjuster might also recommend some items be restored by SERVPRO.  

Our office staff speak with hundreds of insurance adjustors a year and can help you with this sometimes overwhelming process.  If you wake up one day and have water dripping from your ceilings, take a deep breath and remember these steps. And don’t worry, SERVPRO of Putnam County will make it "Like it never even happened".