Typically this is how you might feel when you discover a water a leak. But you know what, that's the right response. The reason it's the right response, is because water leaks can cause major damage quickly. All the questions start rolling through your head, and you start to get frantic. No need to fret, you are about to find out exactly what you need to know when this happens.
- Try to find the source of the leak and turn it off. Every home has cut off valves that control the flow of water to your water receptacles. Check out the table below for possible locations of cut off valves. If it's coming from an area where you can't find a valve, it might be best to turn off the water at the main control valve, this is normally outside the house, in the front yard near the street.
- Call the experts! At R4 Restoration we specialize in emergency services. We're experts at restoring damage from any unexpected catastrophes. Speaking with us will help you select which route is best when determining how to pay for repairs. Most of the time the damages are covered by your homeowner's insurance. We deal with insurance companies everyday. This is what we do.
- Call your insurance company. This helps to present more options on how to proceed with repairing damage. If a claim needs to be filed, this will start the process in the repair work. Remember, the faster we're able to address the issues, the less damage to need addressing. So having all your ducks in a row regarding an incident at your home, is knowing what your insurance policy will cover.
So, those are the initial steps in handling a water leak. Here, in the metro Atlanta area, we deal with all sorts inclement weather that can also contribute to water damage. Whether it's flooding and outside water coming in your home, or having a roof leak from heavy rain. All of these situations need to be handled correctly. This leads us to the next step, drying out the affected area.
When people think of drying, they think it's something you can handle on your own. Well, let me tell you a little story. Back in 2009 the city of Atlanta experienced a flood that damage numerous homes. Many people thought that when the waters receded they could vacuum the excess and their homes would be fine. Unfortunately that led to more damage than they ever expected. This was because of the growth of mold.
Mold is why water damage can be a catastrophe. It only takes 16% of surface water to create mold on porous materials. What does this mean? It means that our beautiful homes create the perfect breeding ground for mold. Our homes are full of drywall, wood, and concrete which all happen to be porous. If a large amount of water has touched any of these surfaces it needs to dried out.
Drying is a science, not a do-it-yourself project. It takes specialized equipment and education to dry a structure out properly. Remember, this is where you and your family spend the majority of your time. The result of drying properly eliminates the chance of your home becoming mold infested and causing potential health damage to you and your family down the road.
We at R4 Restoration have the training and experience to accomplish the job. We are not your typical restoration company, we handle the claim from beginning to end. We live and operate in the Gwinnett County area. This is our backyard and we know the common causes of water damage as well as their resolutions. We're the people that will be fighting for you to get your home back to its original state.
If you need help with a water leak, mold, or anything else give us a call at 404-428-1255, or email us at contact@r4restoration.com. And, if you want, you can use our emergency contact form if you want to.
| Leak Source | Cut-Off Location |
|---|---|
| Kitchen Sink Faucet | Cabinet under the sink. |
| Bathroom Sink Faucet | Cabinet under sink. |
| Washer Faucet | Cabinet under the sink. |
| Outside Faucet | Check crawl space for a cut off valve. |
| Water Heater | At the top of the heater. Look for pipes coming out the wall. |
The table above is a simple guide to give you some areas where you can hopefully save your home from further damage. But remember, if you cannot identify where the leak is coming from, just turn the water off at the main line. Typically the valve for the main line is somewhere in your front yard near the street. You can a use crescent wrench to turn off, however, best tool to have on hand for this is a Meter wrench.
