How to Handle Wet Walls After a Leak or Flood

Experiencing an emergency? Does your home have serious damage due to fire, wind, or water? Don’t sit this one out. Call a professional Fort Collins restoration company ASAP. If you’re located in Northern Colorado and you’re experiencing a leak or flood, call 970 Services at (970) 888-0970 now and we’ll be with you shortly!

Here’s How to Handle Wet Walls After a Leak or Flood

Not sure what to do when a leak springs? Here’s how to how wet walls after a leak or flood.  

Step One: Assess the damage.

Once the leak or flood is over (and you’ve made sure your family is safe), it’s time to assess the damage. Because you’ll likely report the incident on your homeowner’s insurance, it’s important to avoid touching anything or cleaning up the scene. Leave belongings where they are, but document what you can so your insurance claim can be properly filed.

Here are some things to be aware of when you move through a water damage assessment:

Are there texture changes in the wall? Depending on the degree of water damage you may notice bubbling, swelling, or even collapsing of your drywall. The absorbent materials in our wall tend to retain water which can lead to further damage.

Check for discoloration. Was your water damage fairly mild? Look a bit closer. Discoloration ranging from subtle to extreme can indicate damage that you should take note of.

Don't ignore lingering smells. If you don't handle water damage right away, you're at risk of mold. In fact, mold and mildew can grow as soon as 24 - 48 hours after even the mildest water damage. This can lead to a musty, unpleasant aroma. Eventually, mold can cause further damage and even health issues.

Step Two: Document everything.

Document everything from the wet walls to damaged furniture to soaked flooring. When you have a leak or experience a flooding disaster, it’s best to keep your own records of what was lost for insurance purposes. While your insurance company and, likely, the restoration professional you choose will also document and photograph the scene, but having your own backup is important, too.

Step Three: Call a restoration company.

Next, you’ll want to call a restoration company. If you’ve experienced water damage to the walls of your Northern Colorado home, it's important to get connected to a professional restoration company ASAP.

Restoration professionals will initially come in to assess the damage. From there they will create a relief plan and begin a drying process to prevent further issues (like mold growth or wood rot!). Choosing the right restoration company should reduce any anxiety and help you feel back in control of your life.

Quality restoration companies will work with you to document the disaster and negotiate with your insurance company. Be sure the company you choose has a good track record. It will save you a lot of trouble picking a trustworthy restoration company.

Step Four: Call your insurance company.

Once you have a preferred restoration company in mind, call your insurance ASAP to report a claim. It's not only important for peace of mind but also to assure you secure coverage. Some insurance companies require you to report damage sooner than others in order to qualify for relief. They will want to assess any damage, too—however, the claims and approval process can take up to a few weeks to complete first.

970 Services: Northern Colorado’s #1 Trusted Restoration Company

At 970 Services, we understand disaster. Our team is always professional, attentive, and willing to go the distance for any and all of our clients in Northern Colorado.

If you are ever faced with a leak or flood that leaves your walls wet, remember to call a local, trusted home restoration company (like us!) first. Need assistance ASAP? Give us a call now at (970) 888-0970 or contact us online for a free estimate.

Located in Loveland, CO, we also offer home restoration service in the following areas: Fort Collins, Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, Longmont, and throughout Northern Colorado.