Posted on

House Water Damage: What Now? Basic Steps to Take Afterwards

water damage restoration

water damage restorationWater damage in your house is the nightmare scenario for any homeowner, from burst pipes, roof leaks, flood-induced basement flooding, or natural disasters. But acting quickly and effectively to mitigate damages and avoid further issues is critical if water damage restoration of items like books and leather needs to be considered as well. It’s important to note that the water damage restoration process can take several days.

We provide this comprehensive guide that walks through all essential steps necessary when faced with such an occurrence, as well as common questions regarding restoration for such items as we cover here.

Assess the Situation

Identify the Source

Water damage requires you to identify its source. Perhaps there’s a burst pipe, roof leakage or malfunctioning appliance causing issues – and knowing this will allow you to address them more efficiently.

Prioritize Safety

First and foremost, put safety first. Switch off electricity to any affected areas to prevent electrical hazards; if extensive flooding damage has occurred or, evacuate until it is safe to return. 

Contact Your Insurance Company

Document Your Damage

Once safety has been assured, document the damage by taking pictures or videos and saving these for use when filing an insurance claim. Be thorough in documenting all affected areas and items.

Understand Your Coverage

Notify your insurance provider of the damage as soon as it occurs, and become familiar with your policy to understand what’s covered and what’s not. Keep records of conversations with them, including claim numbers and names of representatives you speak with.

Turn Off Water Flow

Shut Off the Water Supply

If the source of your water damage is due to burst pipes or malfunctioning appliances, shutting off the main source can help stop further water entering the house. Most homes feature individual shut-off valves for various sources.

Remove Standing Water

Once standing water has formed in your home, remove it quickly to avoid additional damage. Use wet-dry vacuum buckets or contact professional water damage restoration services if there’s more water that can be removed by these methods.

Protect Your Belongings

Important Documents

Water can cause irreparable damage to important documents like birth certificates, passports, insurance policies, and financial records that are important. Carefully retrieve and dry these items if wet; for additional help, contact a professional document restoration service.

Address Water-Damaged Items

House water damage can have devastating repercussions for your personal possessions, including furniture, clothing, electronics, and sentimental items. Here is how you should approach dealing with water-damaged items:

Furniture: Remove furniture to a dry space using fans or dehumidifiers to expedite drying; wooden pieces may require refinishing. 

Clothing: Launder clothes as soon as possible to prevent mold growth on them and consult a professional cleaner as soon as mold appears on clothing items.

Electronics: For your own safety, avoid turning on water-damaged electronics; instead, have them professionally assessed and repaired by trained experts. 

Professional Conservators may be able to restore items of sentimental value like photographs, artwork, and heirlooms; for assistance, consult a conservator.

Begins Cleanup Process on Mold Prevention

Mold can begin developing within 1 to 2 hours of water damage, so preventing its development is of vital importance. To stop mold growth:

✔️ Foster ventilation by opening windows and using fans.

✔️ Dehumidifiers should also be utilized to decrease humidity levels indoors.

✔️ Remove wet carpeting, drywall, and insulation to prevent mold from spreading.

✔️ Clean and disinfect affected areas with mold-killing products.

Professional Help

Water Damage Restoration bethesda

Hiring Professional Water Damage Restoration Experts 

While some aspects of water damage cleanup can be managed on your own, professional water damage restoration services often provide more comprehensive solutions and repairs to restore your home back to pre-damage conditions. They give you a knowledgeable assessment as well as access to equipment necessary to restore damaged areas back to pre-damage condition.

What to Expect from Restoration Professionals?

Professional services provide comprehensive damage assessment that includes moisture levels, potential mold growth, and structural issues, as well as efficient water removal using advanced equipment. They will conduct this analysis prior to providing their recommendations on repairs or water extraction services.

Drying and Dehumidification: Professionals will ensure proper drying and dehumidification in even hard-to-reach places, including any hidden areas or hard-to-access spaces.

Mold Remediation: If mold exists, experts will safely eliminate it while also taking measures to prevent its return.

Restoration & Repair: Plumbing experts specialize in repairs and reconstruction to restore homes to their pre-damage conditions.

FAQs on Water Damage Restoration

How to Restore Water-Damaged Books?

To restore water damage books, you need to act quickly. Here is what to do:

Remove From Water: As soon as the books have become immersed in water, take immediate steps to extract them and prevent further damage.

Separate and Air Dry: Gently separate any wet pages before setting the books upright to air dry – do not use direct heat such as hairdryers, as this could warp pages and distort their shape.

Interleave: Insert wax paper or absorbent paper towels between pages to absorb any excess moisture, then weigh them down with heavy objects to help restore their shape. Consult Professionals for Restoration: If the damage is extensive or valuable, seek the services of a professional book conservator for restoration services.

How to Restore Water Damaged Leather?

Water-damaged leather items like furniture, clothing, or accessories require special care:

Blot Excess Moisture: Use a clean, dry cloth to absorb any extra water that has collected on your leather item by dabbing rather than rubbing – as doing so could damage its structure and potentially void its warranty.

Allow Leather to Air Dry: After cleansing and conditioning the leather, keep it to air dry at room temperature without direct heat or sunlight, as this could cause cracking. Condition Leather: Once the leather has dried completely, use a conditioner to restore moisture as well as suppleness by following product instructions.

Hire Professional Help: For items of great value or significant damage, it may be prudent to seek the expertise of professional leather restoration services.

House water damage is an upsetting experience, but taking immediate and strategic steps can help minimize its damage and restore your home back into order. 

Concluding Thoughts on Water Damage: Steps to a Successful Restoration

Before taking any actions to mitigate damage or restore items such as books and leather items, prioritize safety by documenting their damages. Talk with your insurance provider immediately about filing claims as early as possible in the restoration process. In either case, thoroughness and patience are the keys to successful restoration – whether cleaning yourself or hiring professionals – with both being essential elements in successful restoration.

Handyman can help in water damage restoration. We provide affordable handyman services in Bethesda, Maryland. Call us now for any query!

Posted on

How To Properly Dispose Of Your Old Appliances: All Things To Consider

dispose of appliances

dispose of appliances

When upgrading appliances, the excitement of getting something shiny new may be overwhelming. Enjoying its latest features and increased efficiency is certainly appealing, but one question inevitably remains in the back of your mind: “What should I do with my old appliances?”

Proper disposal of old appliances is an integral component of upgrading to new ones, not only by protecting the environment from potential landfill danger but also by giving us an opportunity to recycle responsibly and make sustainable choices. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how and where to dispose of appliances in an eco-friendly and responsible manner.

Why Proper Appliance Disposal Matters

Before diving into how to dispose of old appliances properly, let’s discuss why proper disposal matters:

Environmental Effects

Old appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners often contain refrigerants and other hazardous materials that can harm the environment if not managed appropriately. Such emissions contribute to ozone depletion and global warming when released into the atmosphere, while improper disposal could leak harmful chemicals into soil and groundwater systems.

Energy Efficiency

New electric devices are more energy-efficient than their older ones; by responsibly disposing of old ones, you are not only helping the environment but also saving on energy costs over time.

Recycling Potential

Many components of household appliances, including metal, plastic and electronic parts, can be recycled successfully. Proper disposal ensures these valuable resources are recovered and reused, saving raw materials while conserving energy resources.

How to Discard Appliances Properly

Understanding the importance of proper appliance disposal is just the first step; now let’s delve into how to do it responsibly. For residents in Bethesda, MD, & Washington, DC our junk removal services can simplify this process by picking up and properly disposing of your old appliances.

Reach Out to the Manufacturer or Retailer

Before buying new appliances, contact their manufacturer or retailer and inquire about their disposal or recycling programs. Some companies even provide take-back programs whereby they will pick up old appliances when delivering new ones – these may provide information about where you can dispose of appliances responsibly in your local community.

Local Recycling Programs

To find out about recycling programs for old appliances in your local government and waste management authority area. Many offer curbside pickup or designated drop-off locations for large appliances – they will also advise how best to dispose of these properly while abiding by any local regulations that might exist.

Donate or Sell

For appliances in good working order that still provide value, consider donating them to local charities or selling them online. There may be organizations or individuals looking for inexpensive appliances; just ensure the items are clean and fully operational before making this donation or sale.

Scrap Yards 

Scrap yards or metal recycling centers offer an option for disposing of old appliances made up of metal components like steel and copper that can be salvaged to reduce demand for mining and manufacturing new metals.

Appliance Retailer Recycling Events

Many appliance stores host recycling events or partner with recycling organizations to encourage responsible disposal of old appliances. Keep an eye out for local advertisements or events hosted by appliance stores in your area that provide this convenient option for disposing of old devices.

How to Dispose of Small Appliances

While the methods discussed above focus mainly on large appliances, you may also be curious about how you can dispose of smaller devices like toasters, blenders, or coffee makers. Here’s what you can do:

Review Local Recycling Guidelines

Check with your local recycling guidelines to know whether small appliances can be recycled curbside in your community’s recycling program, and prepare the items according to any special instructions, such as removing batteries or sorting certain parts.

Retailer Take-Back Programs

As with larger appliances, some retailers may provide take-back programs for small appliances when you buy new ones from them. Be sure to ask about these disposal options and whether or not your retailer accepts small appliances when making your decision.

Electronics Recycling Centers

Many household appliances contain electronic components that need proper disposal or recycling. There are various electronic recycling centers across the country that accept small appliances for proper disposal or recycling, providing expert care when managing electronic waste safely.

Where Can I Dispose of Appliances

Determining where you can properly dispose of appliances depends on your location. Our handyman services in Bethesda, MD, and Washington, DC,  can help simplify this process by picking up and responsibly disposing of your old appliances. Here are a few common options to keep in mind:

Local Landfills

Though not the most eco-friendly option, local landfills offer another viable option for disposing of old appliances – though be mindful that doing so contributes to environmental pollution while taking up precious landfill space.

Scrap Yards

As previously discussed, scrap yards offer another great method for recycling appliances with metal components. Contact local scrap yards in your area to inquire about their policies and if they accept appliances for recycling.

Recycling Centers

Most communities offer recycling centers or transfer stations where appliances can be taken in for disposal, with the goal of disassembling them properly and recycling them to reduce environmental impact.

Retailer Programs

It is worthwhile checking with appliance retailers in your area to determine whether they offer disposal or recycling services, some collaborating with recycling companies to offer convenient disposal options.

Local Nonprofit Organizations

Many local nonprofit organizations, like Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, accept donated appliances. Once renovated and refurbished, these donations can help support charitable missions while raising much-needed funds.

Concluding Thoughts: Choose Sustainability with Handyman at Your Command

Proper disposal of old appliances isn’t just responsible; it’s essential for lowering environmental impacts and conserving resources. By following guidelines on how and where to dispose of appliances in your area, you can help ensure your old items can find second lives through recycling programs or donate or resell opportunities.

Handyman at Your Command steps in to fill this need by providing specialized junk removal services in Bethesda, MD. The company ensures that your old appliances are not only removed from your property but also taken to appropriate recycling centers or donation facilities. This means you can update your home with new appliances while resting assured that your old ones will be dealt with responsibly.

Different regions have varying regulations and resources dedicated to appliance disposal. However, choosing a reputable service like Handyman at Your Command can make the process seamless and guilt-free. You can enjoy your new appliances with the confidence that you’ve done your part to minimize environmental impacts and promote sustainability.

Read More About: Common Home Issues You Should Leave to a Handyman