When people think about water damage prevention, an organization is one of the last things that comes to mind. In practice, however, being organized is one of the most important things you can do to keep water damage at bay. Here are five tips from our water damage professionals at Stretch Cleaning in Long Beach Island on how you can do this.
Water damage starts from the ground up so it is sensible to keep items that are sensitive to water on higher ground where they are unlikely to be damaged by a flood. This may include things like jewelry, valuable clothing, or expensive electronic devices.
While some floods come without warning, you have at least a few minutes’ notices before many floods hit. When you have some warning, sandbags are an effective tool for minimizing water damage. They will absorb the excess water in your home and limit the amount of water that actually causes damage in your home. Keeping a few of these in the garage will be a lifesaver if you ever need to prepare for a flood but don’t have much time to do so.
One of the more frustrating elements of the water damage restoration process can be working with your insurance company. Fortunately, many of the difficulties of working with your insurance company can be proactively resolved by understanding your policy details well. That way you won’t be taken off guard by any surprises when you file your claim.
It’s hard to plan in advance for something as sudden as a flood. However, there are a few things you can do to be prepared. First, know who to call. Rather than frantically searching for restoration companies after a flood, you will be better off knowing ahead of time which company you want to go with.
Another important part of your plan should be to know what family or friends you can reach out to for help if you must vacate your home. Then, instead of scrambling for a place to sleep, you can at least be comforted knowing that you have a place for you and your family to go.
Cluttered homes are susceptible to more severe water damage because the clutter is more likely to be damaged by the water than items that are safely stored away. Avoiding clutter isn’t necessarily a game changer when it comes to water damage but doing so will preserve some of your possessions and help the restoration process go more smoothly.
While being organized certainly doesn’t guarantee that your home will be water damage free, it does go a long way toward preventing it from occurring. These organizational steps don’t take much time but they can make all the difference in avoiding a water damage disaster. If you do ever deal with water damage in your home, however, give us a call at Stretch Cleaning in Long Beach Island for help as soon as you can.
