Knowing who to call can save you time and money on repairs if water leaks into the house from outside. You might know the water source like a burst pipe, but in other instances, it is hard or even impossible to identify the source of the leak. No matter the cause, it is crucial to identify and solve it to prevent mold growth and other severe water damage.
You should call water damage professionals when you experience water leaking into your house from outside. These include emergency plumbers, roofing contractors, water restoration contractors, a water proofer, and your insurance company for payments.
A water leak into the house from the outside can happen through holes or cracks in the basement, poor drainage, heavy rain, damaged gutters, the sprinkler system, roof leak, and a faulty sump pump can lead to flooding. The water can cause visible damage to the drywall, ceiling, floor, and furniture and lead to the growth of mold and mildew.
Who to call when
Determining who to call depends on the water source and the symptoms you are experiencing at a given moment. Below are signs to check for to decide whom to call.
Plumber
You should call a plumber if the water is leaking from a plumbing issue, for instance, a burst pipe. To prevent further damage from the pipe, switch off the water supply to stop more water flowing to the burst pipe and wait for an emergency plumber to fix or repair the ruptured one.
In case of a burst pipe, you should call an emergency plumber other than a regular plumber. This ensures that the damage is repaired immediately to prevent further water wastage and water damage.
If you do not have a phone number of an emergency plumber, contact our plumbers at Emergency Plumbing Squad for prompt service. Our plumbers are available 24/7 to attend to all your emergency plumbing needs.
Roofing contractor
If the water from outside is entering your house through the roof, you should contact a roofing contractor. The roof has a long lifespan, but it wears down due to exposure to harsh weather conditions like heavy winds from a storm and can start leaking rainwater. In such a scenario, you should contact a roofing contractor to identify the damage and perform the required repairs.
Water proofer
A water proofer will fix cracks in the drainage system, sump pump, basement floors, and window leaks. Therefore, if the outside water leaks through the cracks above, a water proofer is the right water damage professional to call.
Water restoration contractor
A water restoration contractor restores homes to safety after water damage. You should call them if you have stagnant water, wet and dump walls, mushy odors, and visible mold. They use equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the exterior wall, ceiling, flooring, and basement to prevent mold growth which is harmful to human health.
Things To Consider When Calling Water Damage Professionals
A water leak into the house from the outside concerns residential and commercial property owners. With the right skills, you can decide to deal with a small leak, but we recommend you use an expert’s services for significant damage. However, many water damage professionals are on the market, and choosing the right one can be daunting. Here are factors to consider to choose the best professional.
Licensing and certification
The best water damage professionals should be licensed and trained. Repair and water restoration are delicate and should only be handled properly to prevent further damage. Ask them to produce certificates from a certified training institution and the government. Ensure they are trained and have the right expertise to handle the damage.
Experience
The years of experience of the professionals is an important factor when selecting a water damage professional. An experienced plumber or water restoration contractor will know exactly what to do and spend less time and resources. On the other hand, a starting professional will operate on a trial-and-error basis, and they could cause more damage.
Seek how many water damage projects they have worked on and how many years they have been on the market. A company that has served a market for more than 15 years is likely to have more skills and expertise to handle different causes of leaks than a brand-new company.
Ensure that they are insured
Working with insured professionals ensures that you are not held liable for damages or injuries that might happen during the repairs and restoration. Do not rely on the promise that the company will take up possible liabilities. Instead, hire professionals with up-to-date insurance policies. Moreover, it is crucial to ask about potential accidents and how the company responds to them. Working with an insured company gives you peace of mind.
Ask about guarantees and warranty
Guarantees and warranties assure you of quality work but beware of professionals who give extreme promises. For instance, a water restoration company can do everything it can to dry your walls and get rid of mold but promising that the mold will never grow back is extreme because it is beyond their control. Settle for professionals who understand and put effort into delivering quality services and not exaggerated promises.
Availability
Water damage issues can develop at any time of the day. Therefore, you should hire a company with emergency services. If pipe bursts at night, you need a plumber who will respond to your call without limitations. You should hire professionals who understand the danger of water damage so that they do not keep you waiting.
Understand their payment plan
We cannot ignore costs when hiring water damage professionals. Seek to understand their rates and payment terms. Some professionals charge per hour, while others charge a fixed rate. Also, ask if there are hidden charges or out-of-pocket expenses.
Reasons To Call Water Damage Professionals
Most homeowners today embrace DIY and play the handyman for most damages. However, water-related repairs are sensitive and should only be handled by professionals. Working with professionals ensures you do not hurt yourself or worsen the situation. Here are further reasons why you should call a professional.
Peace of mind
Working with a professional gives you peace of mind knowing that the problem will be handled correctly. They will get to the root cause of the problem, assess the level of damage and hidden problems, and do what is required to prevent it from occurring again soon.
Less work for you
Plumbing system repairs, cleaning up, and restoring your house to normal conditions is a lot of work. Removing the carpet, repairing a leaking ceiling, fixing a damaged sump pump, cleaning the exterior walls, drying the mold, and disinfecting is tedious. Working with a professional exempts you from these strenuous duties.
They have specialist equipment
Water damage professionals come with specialist equipment like high-grade pumps, water extraction vacuums, air filters, dehumidifiers, and vacuums to ensure the work is well done. They also come with tools to identify the leak’s source and moisture-detecting devices.
Safeguards you from health risks
A water leak puts you and other occupants at risk of electricity accidents, flooding damages, and health risks from mold and mildew. Handling the situation on your own increases the risk of structural damage, bacteria and viruses from contaminated water and mold, and mildew growth.
To ensure that all these risks are handled effectively, hire specialists with the right expertise and equipment.
Find Reputable Water Damage Professionals
Finding the right water damage professionals when water damage occurs is the first step to restoring your house to normal after damages caused by water leakage from the outside. You will need various professionals for different issues, and knowing who to call is crucial. If it is a plumbing leak, contact our emergency plumbers from Emergency Plumbing Squad. They will respond to your call and arrive at your home to inspect the cause and carry out the repair as soon as possible.