During a water damage emergency, understanding what is going on and what actions you can take is critical for mitigating the potentially harmful effects. The actions you take within the first few minutes of the flood can make all the difference between a minor water damage cleanup job and a costly, labor-intensive restoration project. Below are four of the most important actions you should take after a water damage disaster according to our restoration experts at Sierra Restoration in Utah. 
The first and foremost priority during a flood is that you stop the flow of water as soon as possible. Even if the leak seems relatively small, the water can spill into your home surprisingly quickly. To do this, make sure you know where your water shutoff valve is located so if the water is coming from inside your home you can stop it immediately. If the source of the water is external from a storm, do what you can to slow down and minimize the flooding.
One important caveat to the above suggestion is that you should only use your water shutoff valve if you are sure you can do so safely. It isn’t worth putting your well-being at risk to stop the flood. That means you should NOT try to access your water shutoff valve if doing so means potentially coming into contact with water that is contaminated or could be conducting an electrical current.
Once the immediate shock of the water damage disaster has passed, you should then call a professional water damage restoration company for help right away. Doing this as soon as possible will allow the company to begin its restoration work right away. Their industrial-grade pumps, fans, dehumidifiers, and cleaning supplies significantly expedite the restoration process. This is one of the best things you can do to minimize water damage and reduce the cost of water damage restoration.
If you can safely do so, you will want to grab any items in your home that will be vulnerable to the water damage. This really only matters is the issue is extremely time-sensitive. Otherwise, the restoration company can do this for you. However, if any of your possessions are in danger of imminent harm, you should do what you can to save them, especially if they are expensive or sentimental. Once again, this comes with the caveat that you should only move your belongings if it is safe to do so.
Water damage isn’t anything to mess around with. The first few decisions you make can play a huge role in the total damage sustained by your home. The steps above should help you focus on key priorities after a water damage disaster and make the right choices in the immediate aftermath. Of course, you don’t have to go at this alone. Sierra Restoration in Utah is always just one phone call away from helping you recover from a water damage disaster. Reach out to our team today.
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