San Diego Water Damage Restoration Tips
Water damage can be one of the most damaging experiences a person can have. Even a small amount of damage can harm or ruin your most treasured belongings. The key factor is dealing with water damage is acting quickly. You want to make sure that you get rid of as much of the moisture from the surfaces of your furniture, photo albums, etc. However, beyond that there are additional steps that you can take to help avoid water damage and some steps to take should water damage occur.
If you have books that were affected by water damage, you can try to dry them out. The best way to do this is by placing an absorbent towel between the pages of the book and then laying the book down on its back with the pages open. You will need to rotate this to make sure that it is dried throughout.
It is important that you check the seals on your windows and ensure that they are working properly to keep out moisture.
Do a check on your plumbing fixtures in your bathroom and kitchen. You may need to repair or replace existing caulk for a better seal to make sure no leakage happens.
Believe it or not, many leaks can be found around showers due to daily use and erosion caused by water. A sure fire way to tell if your toilet is leaking is if you notice water stains around it. If this is the case, you need to check all the seals and the tank.
Other kitchen appliances that you should check routinely are your ice maker, dishwasher, garbage disposal. Normal wear and tear on these requires you to change the hoses about every 5 years to prevent leaks and seepage.
Your washing machine may be another culprit for water damage. If possible, change the rubber hoses it comes with to a stainless steel hose. The heavy duty structure of the steel will reduce the change of a leak while also keeping your machine running better.
Another source of leaks is your water heater. These are very susceptible to corrosion with rust being a huge sign of an issue. If you see any rust, call a professional to access the situation immediately.
If you have damage caused by any of these situations, you can take immediate steps such as removing all upholstery items that are wet by either placing them outside or aired out with a vacuum. You can put plastic sheets under furniture legs to ensure that discoloration or bleeding does not occur. Turn off all electrical devices should you experience wet floors and carpeting. You will probably need to replace your carpeting if it is soaked through.
For greater assistance, calling a water damage restoration specialist will help quite a bit. They will know all of the areas to check and provide the equipment needed to dry out your home and your belongings.