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What Are the Steps for Water Mitigation After a Broken Water Heater?
7/30/2021 (Permalink)
A leaking water heater can cause severe water damage.
Discovering a leaking water heater in your Roanoke Rapids, NC, building is never a good thing for various reasons. Not only does it mean you need to get the water heater repaired, but now you also have to concern yourself with the imminent water damage. It's essential to understand water mitigation for events such as these. Knowing what to do can't totally prevent property loss, but swift action can significantly minimize the damage.
3 Steps for Water Mitigation After a Broken Water Heater
- Extract the Water
After you get the water leak from the failed water heater stopped, you must extract all the water. Usually, the best way to remove standing water is to use a wet/dry vacuum. It can quickly and safely eliminate water and small debris. If you don't have access to a wet/dry vacuum, mops and towels will do the job.
- Inspect the Damage
Next, inspect the area for all the water damage from the leaking water heater. Water and moisture can damage the structure of the home and the contents inside.
- Clean and Sanitize the Affected Area and Contents
Once the water has been removed, clean and sanitize the entire affected area and all of the contents. Anything beyond repair, including the broken water heater, should be removed and thrown away.
- Completely Dry the Affected Area and Contents
Finally, it's essential to completely dry the area and everything remaining, including floors and walls. You can use fans, heaters, dehumidifiers and open windows and doors. If you're having doubts about getting everything dried quickly enough, water damage remediation professionals have industrial equipment and the expertise to ensure the job is appropriately completed and then inspected.
A leaking water heater requires immediate attention to minimize water damage and to keep hot water available in your home. Call a repair technician to see if they can fix the broken water heater or if you must replace it.