With the rainy season (monsoon) at its peak, everything gets squishy, humid, and annoying. Whether it’s your comfortable bed and pillow or your squishy rug. One factor that can extensively increase this is plumbing leaks, leading to damaged structure, mold and mildew growth, damaged belongings, reduced water pressure, unpleasant odor, and many more.
But the good news is, this can be easily fixed without significantly damaging the structure of your property. You just need to follow some basic hacks and a little care to save yourself from huge expenditures.
Let’s hop on and understand how to recover your belongings after a leak.
First: Safety Mode On
Seeing a partially drowned home might make you go insane, but that is where you need to stay sane. At first, look for the electricity circuit breaker, as water near appliances and outlets can be life-threatening.
While breaking the electricity supply, also make sure not to step into the water. The water can be electrified and give you a good and body-shaking electric shock.
After cutting all connections with the possible electricity supply, find out the source of the water leak and give that a good fix.
The Great Soggy Sort
After you have followed the first step, it’s time to locate and move the damaged belongings to a safe and secure place. You don’t need to throw everything into the bin. Some of them can be fixed and reusable. Let’s take a look at those things:
- Hard Stuff: Stuff made of materials, like metal, glass, and plastic, can hardly get damaged by water. So, just give them a good wipe and they are all set to reuse.
- Soft Stuff: Belongings like rugs, pillows, mattresses, and clothes might get very dirty and stinky badly, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be used again. Wash them with detergent and dry them out to make them reusable.
- Paper Stuff: Stuff made up of paper is most likely to get seriously damaged if exposed to water for a considerable amount of time. But that’s not always true. At first, handle them gently and place them in a warm and dry place until they are completely dry.
- Electronics: Unplug the electronics and don’t make a fuss to just try them for once. Doing that might damage the appliance. Call out an electrician and let them handle the situation.
Saving the Sentimental Stuff
We have those things that are close to our hearts and play a huge role in our sentiments, and that’s also what makes us save that stuff. These can include baby books, old birthday cards, and photos.
Spread them on a dry towel and let them air dry naturally. If photos are stuck together, gently separate them in a bowl of clean water. It’s weirdly satisfying.
After the photos are dried, make sure to turn them into photo books and give them a new and better life.
What About Furniture and Fabrics?
Handling furniture and fabrics can be tricky, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
- Couches and Cushions: If these are hit with clean water for a short period of time, you just need to dry them in the sunlight or with a heat dryer. But if it’s for a long period and they stink, it’s time to give them a farewell.
- Wood Furniture: Wipe the water from the surface and let it slowly dry. Don’t put it in sunlight, as it could warp them.
- Rugs: If small, take them to the sunlight and give them a hose treatment. If they are big ones, call out professionals.
- Clothes: Wash the clothes with added vinegar and baking soda, as they can eliminate the stinkiness.
When It’s Time to Call the Experts
If the leaks are significant and make you put both your hands on your head, just call the professionals.
Water damage restoration businesses have the best equipment, including moisture sensors, industrial dryers, and the know-how to preserve what you can’t. They’ll help you dry out your home safely and completely.
You can find out more about water damage restoration here.
Storage Smarts for Next Time
Once everything is fixed, don’t just take a deep breath and stay relaxed. It’s time to improve and make changes to your storage game for the next uncertain leak.
Prefer to follow these for the next leak:
- Use plastic bins instead of cardboard, especially in basements or closets.
- Keep keepsakes and important papers in waterproof containers.
- Don’t store anything valuable directly on the floor.
- Label stuff so you can grab it fast in case of another emergency.
You’re Not Alone—Seriously
Don’t get sad and depressed after witnessing half of your home sink; you are alone in such situations. According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage and freezing make up nearly 24% of all home insurance claims in the United States.
Most things can be reused and repaired. If something is seriously damaged and can’t be fixed, you can use it for something else.
Final Thoughts: From Soaked to Stylish
Water leaks are the worst, and the situation gets more irritating when it’s a plumbing leak. It’s because finding the leak deeply hits the annoyance levels. Your home can be better—and possibly even more organized—than it was before with a little imagination, a little elbow grease, and the correct assistance.
