Top Steps to Take After Discovering a Leaking Appliance | SERVPRO of Wilshire Center

11/28/2023 (Permalink)

Has your home been impacted by water damage? Call SERVPRO of Wilshire Center today. We are here for the rescue!

So many of us rely on our appliances on a daily basis that we often don’t think twice about loading up the dishwasher or washing machine, hitting start and then heading out the door to tackle our busy day ahead.

While you are occupied with answering emails, attending meetings and thinking about what you are going to eat for lunch, all it takes for a mess to occur is a single faulty water line or an appliance malfunction.

Appliance leaks are one of the more common water damage situations that we help homeowners overcome, so we want to help you take control of the situation while you wait for us to arrive! Read on to learn more. 

The Dangerous Effects of Water

Once water has leaked onto your floor, you can bet that it will flow and seep into every crack or crevice that it can. Minor puddles can usually be cleaned up on your own, but if the water was left to flow out of your machine for a long period of time, it could easily have made its way under your floors or behind your walls. Once it gets to these tricky locations, it can be hard to dry out on your own. 

We can all mop up a simple mess on the floor, but most of us aren’t able to get under our floorboards or behind our walls without a little help. If you fail to dry out this hidden moisture, it can start to impact the structure of your home or even spark a massive mold infestation. Taking action quickly can prevent your situation from progressing to this state. 

What to Do First

Your first reaction when you walk through the door will probably be a mix of shock and disgust as you enter the room and your feet get soaked or make that awful squelching sound. 

Immediately take a step back and assess the situation from dry ground while trying to stay calm. Locate where the water is coming from and find the appropriate water valve to turn it off.

Close the valve and consider unplugging the appliance as well or shutting off electricity to the area for the time being. You don’t want the appliance to randomly turn back on and finish pouring what’s left in the pipes all over your floor! Once the flow of water has stopped, grab the phone and call SERVPRO of Wilshire Center. 

Why a Professional Water Restoration Team Matters 

While we all know that small puddles or a little water on your floor can be cleaned up with a rag and some ventilation, many times that is not enough to completely solve the situation. Once the water gets to a place that you can’t reach, that’s when a professional restoration company becomes necessary. 

We will bring in air movers and blowers to remove the visible water, and our thermal imaging cameras will pinpoint exactly where the hidden moisture is located in your space. 

Once everything is dry, we can assess any potential damage that needs to be repaired. Water has the innate ability to cause immediate damage to floors, walls and ceilings, so addressing this damage quickly is key to making a full recovery.

We will fix swelling in floors, replace soaked carpet, hang new drywall and even roll on a fresh coat of paint. We are here for you during the entire restoration and will keep working until you are completely satisfied with the finished product. 

Addressing water damage right away is crucial. Call SERVPRO of Wilshire Center as soon as you discover the water.