What To Do After A Water Heater Leak Caused Damage

8/5/2020 (Permalink)

A leaking water heater may not seem like a big deal. However, it could cause a major flood in your Lowell MA home.
A broken water heater needs to be dealt with right away so that it does not cause any further damage. Below are the steps involved in this cleanup process.

1. Emergency Call
Do not attempt to handle a water emergency on your own. This could be dangerous and may cause additional harm to your property. Instead, contact your local damage cleanup professionals. Ideally, you should make the call as quickly as possible. Even a delay of just a few hours can have disastrous consequences.

2. Assessment
Next, a cleanup expert will arrive at your home to check out the leaking water heater. The professional will fix the leak and determine the extent of the damage. He or she may additionally move furniture to prevent the buildup of rust.

3. Water Removal
The professionals should use truck-mounted vacuums or strong pumps to eliminate the excess water in your home. They can even utilize hygrometers to determine the extent of the saturation, and infrared cameras to find hidden moisture.

4. Drying
Once the visible water is removed, your belongings might still feel wet. Professionals will bring in equipment to boost airflow and encourage the evaporation of remaining moisture. Strong dehumidifiers can also be utilized to prevent the warping or swelling of walls and furniture.

5. Cleaning
A failed water heater can leave behind mold and other unpleasant odors. Restoration experts will use air scrubbers to eliminate these smells. They will also utilize a variety of methods to sanitize any moldy belongings.

6. Restoration
Restoration is the final step of the process. It can include small changes such as the installation of new carpet, or larger jobs such as the reconstruction of entire rooms.
Cleaning the damage caused by a leaking water heater can be a complex process. That is why the job should be left to the professionals.