Contacting an experienced Flint water damage restoration company to come and reduce the extent of damage to your property after a flood is paramount to you being able to get through the situation and back on your feet quickly. There are a number of things that every homeowner as soon as they notice the problem to help the professionals do their work more efficiently. Taking care of these seemingly small tasks can go a long way in protecting your possessions from being permanently damaged.

Be Aware of Water Backup

When people think of water damage, they immediately think of extreme flooding. However, water damage can be caused by water backup, which occurs when water from outside your home seeps into the walls of your home’s foundation. Water backup can also occur when your sewer system overflows through the drains in your basement. There are many things that you can do to protect your home from water backup getting into your basement and destroying your possessions and property.

Check Gutters and Downspouts

Make sure that all gutters and downspouts on your home are clean and free of debris. When gutters and downspouts become clogged and backed up, you end up with water in all sorts of places where it definitely should not be, but usually around your basement foundation. Water around your basement foundation usually means seepage into your basement and resulting water damage. Make sure you do not have any sagging gutters either, as this can cause water to collect next to your foundation as well. Downspouts should carry water at least ten feet away from your house, so if yours do not meet this standard, contact a professional to have the problem remedied right away.

Eliminating and Preventing Mold

Even small leaks and seepage can encourage the growth of mold, and once mold starts appearing, it is difficult to get rid of without a Flint water damage restoration company’s help. There are many ways to combat and prevent mold, however. The first step in controlling mold growth is to fix any leaks immediately after you first notice them. As mentioned above, once mold gets started it is hard to stop it before it causes more damage. Make sure you have proper ventilation anywhere in your home where you are using water regularly, such as in your laundry room, bathroom, and kitchen. Mold can easily form and spread in these areas that frequently get steamy. Make sure that your clothes dryer has an exhaust vent to the outside, and that your bathroom has adequate ventilation.

Call a Restoration Specialist

There are a number of small things that you can do if your home and/or possessions are damaged by a flood. These small things may seem minor but can go a long way to protect those things that you care about and have worked so hard to keep. For any major damages that occur, contact a Flint water damage restoration company to get you back on your feet and give you added peace of mind.