What to Do If You Encounter a Leak or Flood in Your Home

One thing that is very important when you discover a leak is that you act quickly. It isn't an experience that anyone wants to go through but it can be helpful to know what you should do in the situation of a leak.

Document Leaking or Flooding
If you are renting and the leaking or flooding is a result of something that is not your fault taking the time take a few snap shots can help you provide notice of the problem. It can be a good idea to do this if you plan on submitting the problem to you house insurance company as well. This might be the last thing you do if you are not near a camera or one is not easily accessible when you discover the leak.

Get Rid of The Excess Water First
Depending on the seriousness of the leak you may scooping up water in a bucket and dumping it outside or into your bathtub, this leak would be considered flooding if it was high enough to be scooping up the excess water. For a less serious leak and mild flooding you can use a mop and mop up the excess water and then lay down towels. If you happen to have a vet vacuum that also can be used in the event of a flood or severe leak.

Move Items That Have Become Wet to Another Area
Remove all of the items that have become wet due to a leak or flood to a dry and well-ventilated area to begin drying. If the leak or flood happen in a room with rugs you will want to remove them and get them hung up so they can begin drying. If the leak was severe enough that it saturated areas of the carpet in the room it may be necessary to pull up the carpet to begin getting any water underneath it. The sooner you do this the better, working quickly with leaks and floods is the key.

Get the Area Ventilated
Open any cabinets doors that are in the room and any closet doors in the room with the leak. Moving all of the furniture away from the walls will increase ventilation in the room too.

Avoid Turning Up the Heat
Although you will want the room to be warm, you won't want to turn up the heat, that can create mold faster.

Do Not Use Fans If This Leak or Flooding Is Not Recent
Although fans can actually be a good idea if the leak is found right away it is a bad idea to turn fans on if you suspect that, because of the length of time that the room had a leak, there is mold.

You may not have to worry about mold if you are able to get to the leak or flood right away and follow these steps.