Water Damage & Flooded Basement Restoration Services
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Sunday, November 03, 2024Step 2: Secure Your Property
By the RestorationSOS Educational Staff
After eliminating water related hazards you should take steps to protect and secure your property and personal belongings from further damage.
It is important to ventilate your property to assist with drying out. However, security is also important. Lock and secure your property when not occupied to prevent looting. Keep in mind that alarms may malfunction if the electricity or telephone service has been interrupted.
If your property is looted or vandalized, notify the police immediately. You will, most likely, need a police report to file an insurance claim.
Partially Damaged Properties
If it is not hazardous to do so, consider securing your property to prevent burglary and theft.
Board up broken windows and doors. Cover damaged walls and roofing with plywood. Use plastic sheets or tarps to protect against additional water damage.
After securing the structure, try to salvage your belongings by relocating them to a dry and well-ventilated part of the structure. This action will make the dry out process much easier.
If you do not feel safe handling this job yourself, get professional help.
Severely Damaged Properties
If your property is too damaged to be secured against burglary, remove your dry valuables to a trusted location such as a home of a friend or a storage unit where they will be kept during the restoration process.
Valuables will include:
- Personal documents
- Money, credit cards, checkbooks, etc.
- Items with sentimental value, like photographs and letters
- Jewelry
To protect larger items such as furniture and appliances, you may also want to consider a partial or complete move out.
Expense Reimbursement
Whether you secure your property or evacuate it temporarily, the costs are often covered by homeowner's insurance policies. Contact your insurance agent to verify the property protection coverage.
Recommended Reading:
Dealing with Water Damage - Step 1: Safety First
Dealing with Water Damage - Step 3: Damage Assessment
Dealing with Water Damage - Step 4: Structural Stabilization Procedures
Dealing with Water Damage - Step 5: Dry Out
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Important To Read
How to Tell if Hurricane Sandy Totaled Your Vehicle
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How to File an Insurance Claim on a Flooded Car
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10 Most Nasty Flooded Basement Disasters In 2020
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Solutions to Basement Flooding
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