Water can be very destructive, causing untold amounts of damage in a relatively short period of time. There is always a possibility of a pipe springing a leak, a tank bursting or some other water-based disaster occurring in your home. The best solution is to have a plan of action in place, so that you know exactly what to do, if and when a leak occurs.

This article is designed to provide you with a simple process, which when followed will reduce the damage, and also give you something to focus on rather than panic if and when a leak occurs. It might be a good idea to save this post as a favorite on your mobile phone so that you can refer to it quickly and easily if needed.

Have A Local Water Damage Expert Stored In Your Mobile Phone

Speed is of the essence in any damage minimization process, the quicker you can get a local expert on the scene, to resolve the problem the less damage will be caused. Rather than have to waste time trying to find a phone number or a website in the middle of an emergency, store Ercolano Cleaning and Restoration’s number which is 203-671-3206 on your cell phone. It is a good idea to store all your service providers on your phone, for quick and easy access when required. Ercolano has the staff, equipment, and resources to respond quickly and efficiently when needed and the minute you call us, we will respond and begin to manage the situation for you.

Shut Off The Water Supply If Possible

While waiting for Ercolano to respond, the next step in the process, where possible is to turn off the water supply to the property; It is essential to know where the water stopcock is and to ensure that everyone who lives in the property knows it’s location as well. If you only have one person in the property who knows the location of the stopcock and how to turn it off, you can virtually guarantee that that person will not be at home when the leak occurs. Turn the water off as quickly as possible; the aim is to stop new water entering the property, so the quicker it is turned off, the less damage is likely to occur.

Water and Electricity Do Not Mix

In your panic to protect your property and possessions, common sense can quickly go out the window. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, and with electricity
and wires in every room of your property, there is a high probability that electric and water will come into contact. Make sure that you do not touch any wires and electrical equipment.
Bear in mind that water conducts electricity, which can dramatically increase the chances of electrocution. Some people remember not to touch wires or cables but forget about light switches.
Never touch any light switches as this could create a spark.

Don’t Ignore The Possibility Of Structural Damage

Depending on the location of the leak, water will generally flow down, thanks to the influence of gravity; If the leak takes place upstairs, and you can see water coming through a ceiling, then it is essential to get out of that particular room and prevent anyone else from entering it. Even a couple of inches of water weighs a lot, and if the ceiling does give way, it could cause life-threatening injuries to anyone standing below it.

Remove Your Important Belongings

Remember at all times that your safety is of paramount importance, but where possible, this may be the time to remove your important possessions. This is where it is a good idea to have a mental note of which possessions are most important to save. It might not be possessions that are the most valuable, electronics, for instance, can be replaced. In our experience, the items that people become most distraught about are those with sentimental value such as photographs or gifts from a loved one. However important any item is, nothing is worth risking your life for, so if you have serious concerns about the safety of the building, then do not enter under any circumstances regardless of how valuable your possessions might be, it is just not worth the risk.

Ercolano Cleaning and Restoration is here for all of your emergency disaster needs. We specialize in water damage, fire damage, tree damage to homes, and mold and soot remediation. We are a locally owned and operated company, and will always respond instantly to any emergency situation.

With proper planning and preparation you can minimize the prospective damage; if you have any queries or questions about any of the information contained within this article, or want to discuss any further precautions you can take, do not hesitate to contact ourfriendly customer service team.