Restoration Experts: Water Damage Restoration Company Explains How to Deal With Water Leaks

Since 1995, Restoration Experts has been serving the Ronkonkoma and Long Island areas of New York with water damage, fire damage, puff back damage, and other restoration and cleaning services. The team of property damage restoration and cleaning professionals truly cares about their customers. A property damage disaster is emotionally traumatic, disrupting every facet of life until the damage is repaired. At Restoration Experts, the goal is to restore and repair a damaged property as quickly as possible so that the homeowner’s life can return to normal.

Discovering water damage can be traumatic. Arriving home to find water cascading down the steps in the garage certainly is disconcerting. Dodging the spray from the burst washing machine supply line can be frustrating. Discovering two feet of water in the basement after a tropical storm dumped ten inches of rain on Ronkonkoma certainly is unpleasant and challenging. Resolving a water leak begins with an inspection or assessment of the situation.

What type of water leak is causing the water damage?

Some leaks cause little or no damage and have a minimal repair cost. The greatest expense from this type of leak may be a higher water bill at the end of the month. Examples include an overflowing toilet or a malfunctioning sprinkler.

Some leaks are minimal but will worsen over time if undetected or ignored. Examples include an inner-wall leak, a leaky drain or supply line, or water escaping through gaps in the shower door. A leaky toilet or hot water heater may present a real danger if undiscovered or allowed to persist.

Leaks involving large amounts of water and causing significant damage require fast action to stop the leak and begin the cleanup and restoration process. These leaks are generally noticed very quickly because of the amount of water involved and the visible evidence of damage. Examples include a burst supply line, a frozen pipe, a major spill from a bathtub overflow, or a leak resulting from storm damage.

What to do when there is a minimal leak

Shut off all faucets and supply lines.
Check the water meter to see if water is still flowing into the home. The homeowner may be able to hear the meter registering water flow. A low-flow indicator on the meter may also provide a clue about the integrity of the plumbing in the home.
Turn off the supply line valves to the toilets. The toilet is a major source of water leaks. Work with one toilet at a time using the low-flow indicator. Remember, more than one toilet may have a leak.
Shut down other appliances. If water continues to leak, isolate each appliance to determine the source or sources of the leak.

What to do when a leak is causing minimal damage and needs attention

Turn off the water to the home at the meter before more extensive damage results from the leak.
Clean up the mess. Act quickly to prevent further damage to the home and personal belongings. Mold and mildew can begin to grow in as little as one or two days. Wear personal protective gear (PPG) such as boots, gloves, a mask, and eye protection. Splash from a messy toilet spill can cause serious illness. Take great care not to track “black water” into other parts of the home. While the damage may be minimal, the homeowner may not have the time or the ability to manage the cleanup process. Calling in a professional water damage restoration specialist makes sense when the homeowner is physically unable to clean up the mess or does not have the time to dedicate to the task.
Repair the leak or enlist the services of a plumber or water damage restoration specialist.

What to do when a major leak is causing significant damage

Turn off the water at the source. Shutting off the flow at the water meter may be required if the supply line does not have a shutoff valve or if the leak is between the pipe and the meter.
Document the damage with photos and video before beginning any cleanup efforts. A cell phone camera is adequate.
Call the insurance company as soon as possible so that they are aware of the issue and can take action to help assist in the cleanup and restoration process.
Identify and repair the source of the water damage. A reputable property damage restoration company will have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to remedy most leaks, or they will be able to contract out the leak repair to a competent plumber.
Begin the restoration process. Tackling a significant water damage event as a DIY project could save some money, but it could also be very expensive if the repairs are inadequate or if a misstep with the insurance company causes the claim to be refused. Professional restoration experts are comfortable working with insurance companies. Billing glitches are avoided, and the job is completed promptly.

Restoration Experts, a locally owned and operated property damage restoration company, serves Suffolk and Nassau Counties, including Ronkonkoma and Long Island. They offer fire damage restoration, water damage restoration, puff back damage restoration, and cleaning services. A response is guaranteed in one hour. Restoration Experts bills insurance claims directly, and there are no out of pocket expenses on most claims.

To learn more about water damage restoration in Long Island, NY, call 631-588-1110 or email info@restorationexperts.com.