Whether your home has suffered water damage from a busted pipe, backed up drain, or large storm, you are likely wondering what you need to do next to get past this disaster. Although water damage can't be repaired overnight, you can start taking the steps to save your home immediately.

Step 1: Secure Your Family's Safety

Depending on the source, the water could be tainted with bacteria and other microbes that can be very dangerous to your health, such as raw sewage. Clear people and pets from the flooded area and do not reenter the area without proper protective gear until the water has receded or you can be assured the flow has stopped. Electrocution can also be an issue, so you should cut off power at the circuit breaker to the flooded area if it is safe for you to do so.

Step 2: Stop the Flow of Water

If the water is coming from a broken pipe, then you need to stop the flow of water so the flooding will stop. In most cases, the simplest way to do this is to turn the water off at the home's water main. If the flood is coming from a backed up drain on the main sewer, you may need to contact the utility company to shut down the drain valve that leads to your home. In the event of storm floods, the only solution is to wait for the waters to recede.

Step 3: Start the Drying Process

Now that the flow has stopped, you can start drying out the house. Pumps may be necessary to remove water. Windows and doors should be opened for airflow to help speed the process. A damage company can provide large fans to help speed drying, or they may use water extractors to pull moisture out of carpets and flooring.

Step 4: Remove Debris

As the water dries, debris removal becomes the main tasks. Damaged furniture and belongings, as well as materials like carpet, drywall, and trim, may all need to be removed from your home. In some cases, debris may have washed in with the flood, which will also need to be removed. Your damage repair service can determine if any of your belongings can be saved.

Step 5: Begin Assessment and Repairs

Your insurance company will need to come out for a final damage assessment once all the necessary repairs are known. After this has been done, your water damage repair service will being tasks like mold mitigation and repairing the damages, such as replacing drywall and flooring.

Contact a water damage repair service for more help.