Even the most attentive homeowners may encounter problems with water damage if they find a problem during inspection.
In order to prevent water damage from household leaks and other problems, the very first step that should be taken is to turn off the water.
If you're not certain where the leak is originating from, find the main water valve to the house and turn it off.
After you've made sure the problem isn't getting worse, the next step is to quickly clean up the mess to prevent any permanent damage such as warping, paint peeling, molding and rotting-- mops, rags and towels can all be helpful for removing still-water.
Once the standing water is gone, the area will need to be air-dried completely.
Wiping down the walls and any appliances with towels is only half the battle; instead, open up doors and windows, set up fans or rent an industrial fan if needed.
Once you're certain that the area is completely dry, look around to make sure that it was the only area affected.
Water is very invasive and has a tendency to soak into and under things to crawl into other spaces you may not have thought about.
Be sure to check the floor below, adjoining rooms and cabinets for evidence of damage.
When things seem under control, you may want to look into having a leak detection system installed.
The system is designed to alert you when a leak is found and saving you precious time in fixing it, as well as up to thousands of dollars in repair costs.
Some systems even automatically shut off the water when a leak is detected, stopping the spread of the damage if you're not home.
If you ever have any doubts about what you've done, do not hesitate to call a specialist to give the room a professional screening.