If you’re experiencing water damage caused by a leak, it can be challenging to figure out the next steps. Whether your basement is flooding or the white paint on your kitchen ceiling is slowly turning brown, anxiety can take over as you assess how to best control the damage.
The best course of action is to turn off both the electricity and the water supply so that you can prevent the damage from spreading even further. Once you’ve managed to do that, it’s time to pick up the phone. But who should you call? And at which stage should you call them?
At The Water Boy, we know leaks better than anyone! After years of experience in the field, we’re able to identify the source of most water damage quickly and efficiently. However, unlike many large and impersonal corporations, we know that the work doesn’t end after the dripping pipe has been located!
If the leak is severe, you’re going to need experts to help you throughout the process. We believe that it is our duty to our clients to help them connect with trustworthy professionals who can manage the repair process and any potential insurance claim.
Still not sure if you’re ready for leak detection? We’ve created a useful guide to walk you through the process of managing the damage caused by a water leak.
Can You Find a Way to Either Stop or Keep the Incoming Water Under Control?
First, you need to contain the incoming water if at all possible. If you’ve managed to do so, then you should proceed to the next question below. However, if the water keeps streaming in despite your best efforts, then you need to call a professional leak detection company immediately. At The Water Boy, we can quickly and accurately assess all water systems contained within the boundaries of your property, from outdoor sprinkler systems to indoor pipework.
Unlike plumbers, our expert leak detectors will use non-invasive methods to locate the source of the water damage, relying on specialized equipment and knowledge. Once the source of the leak has been located, we can point you in the right direction or a reputable contractor to carry out repairs.
Do You Have Homeowners Insurance?
In the case of a damaging water leak, reaction times are critical. By calling your insurance agent or company, you can gain access to knowledgeable professionals who can guide you through the quickest route back to normal. This is particularly important if you don’t have a preferred restoration company or plumber to carry out the necessary repairs.
By calling your insurance company, not only will you receive helpful advice, but you will also be able to make a start on your claim. What’s more, if you start the claims process right away, you stand a much better chance of receiving funds in time to pay for the repairs upfront.
The primary disadvantage of contacting your insurance agent immediately is that you could be losing valuable time as the leak continues to spread. Insurance providers understand how to handle all of the paperwork and bureaucracy that comes with a claim, but they can’t be in the home with you, actively working to locate the problem.
At The Water Boy, we’re available 24/7 to help you with emergencies. If you choose to contact us first, we can also provide you with an informed opinion concerning the likely repair costs. This could help you avoid filing a claim and paying a deductible, only to repair relatively minor damage.
If you don’t have an insurance policy in place at all, you really must call a leak detection expert as soon as possible to limit the scale of the damage. Remember, not all water damage is immediately visible, and a failure to act quickly could leave you with a repair bill running into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Have You Managed to Either Fix or Contain the Damaging Water Source?
Whether you have insurance or not, by following the steps above, you should at least have the water source under control. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the cause of the problem has been fixed!
For instance, you may have already shut the water supply off and called a leak detection company to find the source of the problem. You still need to repair or replace leaky pipes, toilets, or faucets as advised by the experts. Failure to do so will result in further water damage being inflicted as soon as you restore the water supply to your home.
At this moment, it’s time to call your plumber or source a plumbing contractor you can trust. Although time is of the essence, you shouldn’t rush into a decision, as faulty plumbing work can exacerbate the problem rather than fix it. Our team has worked with many reputable plumbing companies throughout the Los Angeles area, and we would be happy to provide you with some suggestions. Your insurance provider may also have a list of preferred providers in your area.
Do You Have Any Standing Water, Dampness, or Any Other Residual Water Damage?
Once the cause of your problem has been fixed, it’s time to assess the damage. If you have little or minimal standing water, you may be able to use mops and towels to dry everything without any further repercussions. Unfortunately, if you have sustained severe damage, you will likely need to call a restoration company.
Technicians from these companies will be able to extract any remaining water and dry any remaining damp areas using specialized drying equipment. Once your walls, ceilings, and any other damaged materials have been dried and protected from future mold infestations by the professionals, you can turn your attention to performing reconstructive repairs. It may be the case that you can undertake those repairs yourself, but in most instances, you will need to enlist the services of a contractor.
If you require extensive reconstruction, this may be an opportune moment to think about installing upgrades to your home. Of course, this is likely to increase the overall cost of your restoration works. But this is the perfect time to invest in improving your home while rebuilding work is already ongoing.
Calling a Leak Detection Company Can Save Your Home from Further Destruction
So there you have it! We hope that you enjoyed our quick guide to who you should call (and when) in the case of a water leak. As you may have observed, a fast and accurate diagnosis of a water leak source can save homeowners thousands of dollars in restoration work, insurance claims, and future premium payments. While you may be able to fix and solve small leaks by yourself, for anything more serious, you should always call in the experts to contain the spread of any possible damage.
Here at The Water Boy Leak Detection, we provide 24-hour emergency assistance should you find a leak that needs resolving as soon as possible. Our team has over 25 years’ experience of detecting leaks, and we pride ourselves on finding the source of your problem while minimizing any damage to your property.
If you’ve discovered a leak and you need help fast, make sure to call our team! Alternatively, if you’ve managed to contain the problem and need our expertise to determine the source of your leak, why not book an appointment for a member of our team to come out and assess your property today?