A water emergency at your home is a serious issue that requires prompt attention. In a short period of time, significant
water damage can create a wide range of health and safety issues that require extensive and costly repairs. Water can infiltrate every area of your home, damaging personal belongings as well as structural elements such as walls, ceilings and floors. In addition, prolonged exposure to moisture can result in
mold growth throughout your home, potentially causing health risks to anyone with allergies or a history of respiratory conditions.
Whether your water emergency is caused by flooding, a burst pipe, an appliance malfunction or some other plumbing issue, it’s critical to act fast in order to minimize the damage. Water damage should always be handled by a professional restoration company to ensure the process is addressed correctly, and all health and safety issues are eliminated.
Essential Steps to Take During a Home Water Emergency
Your first and most important priority should always be making sure everyone in your family is safe. Avoid entering rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on, as this may create a risk of electric shock. You should also stay out of rooms where ceilings appear to be bulging with water, since this creates an increased likelihood that the ceiling will collapse. If anyone in your family has suffered a serious injury, request emergency medical attention at once.
Time is of the essence after a home water emergency. The longer you wait to address water damage, the more likely you are to experience more serious issues that will require extensive repairs. Therefore, the first thing you should always do after making sure your family is safe is to contact a water damage restoration company who provides emergency response services.
While it’s critical to work with a water damage restoration company, there are certain steps you can take while waiting for their team to arrive to help minimize the damage:
· Locate Your Emergency Water Shut-Off Valve – Your emergency shut-off valve is usually located in the basement, crawl space or under your home. If the water emergency is being caused by a plumbing issue, turn this valve off to stop water from continuing to flow into your home.
· Turn on Faucets – Turn on all faucets and flush toilets to drain the remaining water from your pipes and reduce pressure from the burst pipe.
· Document all Damage – Take pictures of all damage prior to doing any cleanup work to provide documentation for your insurance company.
· Contact Your Insurance Company – Contact your insurance company to begin the claims process. In most instances, water emergencies will be covered by insurance. However, it’s important to refer to your policy to determine precisely what types of incidents are covered.
How Can I Prevent Future Home Water Emergencies?
While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk of a future water emergency, there are steps you can take to significantly reduce the likelihood that these problems develop down the road:
· Perform Regular Plumbing Maintenance and Inspection Tasks – Regular inspection and maintenance of your plumbing system is critical to preventing water emergencies. Check for leaks, corrosion or damage in pipes, valves, fittings and appliance hoses. Fix any issues promptly to avoid bigger problems.
· Know the Location of Your Water Shut-Off Valve – In an emergency, shutting off the water supply quickly can minimize damage. Familiarize yourself with the location of the main water shut-off valve and make sure it’s functioning properly. In addition, make sure everyone in your family knows how to turn it off so you can act quickly in an emergency.
· Install Water Detection Devices – Water detection devices can alert you to leaks before they become major problems. For the best possible protection, install a water leak detection system that can automatically shut off the water supply if a leak is detected.
· Upgrade Plumbing and Appliances – Older plumbing systems and appliances are more prone to leaks and failures. Consider replacing old appliances with newer, more efficient models. If your plumbing fixtures are old, consider replacing them before pipes and faucets begin to leak or burst.
· Maintain Caulking –
Inspect and reseal caulking around showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilets each year to prevent water seepage.
· Insulate Pipes – Insulate exposed pipes, especially in unheated areas like attics, basements and crawlspaces, to prevent freezing and bursting.
· Install Backflow Prevention Devices – Install backflow prevention devices on outdoor faucets and other potential entry points to stop contaminated water from flowing back into your plumbing system.
· Ensure Proper Drainage Around Your Home’s Foundation – Proper drainage can divert water away from the structure and prevent water from accumulating around your home’s foundation. Perform any landscaping work necessary to ensure your yard slopes away from your house. Keep gutters and downspouts clean to direct water away from your home.
HRS Restoration Can Help After a Home Water Emergency
If you’ve sustained water damage in your home,
HRS Restoration is here to help. We’ve been the leading water damage restoration company in the Denver area for over 50 years. Our team provides 24/7 emergency response services and will arrive any time, day or night, ready to begin work. We can handle any water emergency, regardless of the scope of damage or the size of your property.
At HRS, we understand that dealing with water damage can be stressful and overwhelming. We will manage every phase of the process for you to ensure all the work is completed properly. Our team will also coordinate with your insurance company for you to eliminate this potential headache during a stressful time in your life.
HRS is a subsidiary of
Haselden Construction, a family-owned company serving the Denver area for more than 50 years. This affiliation gives us access to Haselden’s vast resources and allows us to perform all work in-house. You’ll benefit from a streamlined restoration process, faster turnaround times and competitive pricing. Most importantly, you’ll have peace of mind that all work will be completed according to the lofty standards Haselden upholds on all projects.
Contact us today for emergency water damage restoration services. HRS Restoration serves homeowners in Denver and the surrounding areas.
Emergency Home Water Damage FAQs
What should I do first during a home water emergency?
Your first priority is making sure everyone in your home is safe. Avoid entering rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on, and stay out of rooms where the ceiling appears to be bulging with water, since this increases the risk of collapse.
How do I turn off the water during a home emergency?
Locate your emergency water shut-off valve, which is usually in the basement, crawl space or under your home, and turn it off to stop water from continuing to flow in. Turning on faucets and flushing toilets afterward can help drain remaining water from the pipes and reduce pressure from a burst pipe.
Should I call my insurance company or a restoration company first during a water emergency?
After making sure your family is safe, contact a water damage restoration company that offers emergency response services, since acting quickly reduces the extent of the damage. After reaching out to a restoration company, you should document all damage with photos before cleanup begins and contact your insurance company to start the claims process.
Is home water damage covered by insurance?
Water emergencies are covered by insurance in most instances, but coverage depends on the specific cause of the damage. Refer to your policy directly to determine what types of incidents are covered.
How can I prevent a water emergency in my home?
Regular plumbing maintenance, knowing the location of your water shut-off valve and installing water detection devices can significantly reduce the risk of a future water emergency. Insulating exposed pipes, maintaining caulking around fixtures and ensuring proper drainage around your home's foundation also help prevent water from causing damage.
