Water Damage Restoration Tips
Nasutsa Mabwa
March 15, 2017These helpful Water Damage Restoration Tips from ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons are important!
Before entering a flooded building, make sure it’s safe! Check for electrical hazards. Before you start any construction or repairs, check for dangerous chemicals like lead paint and asbestos, which require professional contractors. Below are some helpful tips when faced with a water damage:
- Act quickly
The damage gets worse the longer water sits and contents stay wet. Mold will grow within 48-72 hours, so remove moisture and dry out the environment within 48 hours. Call your insurance agent and understand your insurance policy.
- Stop the source of water
Check to find out where the water is coming from. Is it a broken pipe? A sewer back-up? Call a plumber immediately to stop the water flow.
- Document the water damage by taking photos.
Take photos.
Photos are important to have to remember how the damage occurred.
- Air out affected areas to prevent mold growth.
Mold loves moisture and materials such as paper. In order to slow down damage, open windows, run fans to keep air moving, and maintain room temperature.
- Assess damaged items and building materials.
Assess the type of water that is present. In water damages where bacteria, sewage, mold are present, an inspection should be conducted by an appropriately trained specialist.
- Expose wet areas.
Open hidden areas for cleaning and drying. Remove wet layers between building materials. Wet carpets can be sometimes dried by professionals, but carpet padding should be thrown away. Wood baseboards and hardwood floors can be saved with the right drying equipment.
- Conduct a thorough cleaning.
Clean durable building materials like hardwood floors or joists with cleaning products and or detergents to remove possible bacteria from contaminated water.
- Dry before rebuilding.
To prevent further damage, do not cover wood and other wet materials until dry. A water restoration professional will make sure all areas are dry before rebuilding.
As always, contact ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons for water damage restoration at 855-9-SIMONS
Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO and co-owner of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE firm proudly serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties in Illinois. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of disaster restoration services, including water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, and mold remediation for residential and commercial clients.
A recognized civic and business leader, Nasutsa is a recipient of the 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite Award, a Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2018 ServiceMaster® Achiever Award recipient. She currently serves as a Civic Federation Board Member, an Advisory Board Member, and is the Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. She is a proud member of the WPO - Women's President Organization.
Nasutsa holds IICRC certifications in Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), bringing both strategic leadership and technical expertise to every project.
She is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset from Water and Fire Disasters — a practical, accessible book for homeowners based on real-world experience in the restoration industry.
Subscribe
Subscribe now for expert tips, rapid-response insights, and restoration guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re recovering from fire, water, or mold damage, stay prepared with advice from the trusted pros at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons.
Restoration and Recovery Tips
Get Help Now
Stop fire, water, and mold damage before it spreads! Call us day or night to restore your home or business—we’ll Get You Back to Normal, FAST!™
(773) 376-1110
(773) 376-1110
