Actions to Take For Water Damage in a Mobile Home

Water damage in a mobile home is an horrible experience financially and personally try to deal with. Along with personal items and collectibles that may have been lost, structural repairs caused by water damage can be costly and time consuming to fix. While prevention is always the best action to take, not all cases are controllable. There are some things you can do after the fact to repair water damage in your mobile home.

Call your agent

If you have Mobile home coverage or even renter insurance, contact your insurance company before taking any action for water damage in your home. Depending on the cause of water damage, your coverage can help with home repairs or refund of damaged or lost assets. Your agent will also provide advice for cleaning procedures that will not interfere with the investigations of any claim. If the damage is extensive, take photos for your personal reference.

Protect your valuables

Move personal and valuable items from the area with water damage. Immediately set clothes, furniture, fabrics and books out to dry. Use fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process. If the water damage was recent, you should not have any issues drying your valuables and your protection; however, if your water has been sitting for a week or more, many of your items may be contaminated with mold spores and should be discarded if they are unable to be thoroughly cleaned. Do not use bleach or harmful chemicals to clean any organic material. Check with your agent or your local security department for safe chemicals and cleaning procedures.

Water Removal

Removing excess water is vital to restore space within your mobile home. Consider hiring a licensed professional to deal with water as well as killing any growth of mold that has produced due to the water damage. Put soggy or moldy materials in sturdy plastic trash bags to avoid contaminating the rest of the house as you haul it away. Start by pulling up the carpet and removing the waterlogged pad underneath. Remove damaged plaster and insulation. Do not attempt to reinstall old materials; instead, buy new items. Move furniture outside if possible and separate cushions and covers to allow maximum drying. Using a shop vac on the carpet is the easiest way to remove excess water from carpets and furniture. Never use the vacuum cleaner,

Repairs and restoration

It is important that each item is completely dry before proceeding with the restoration process. If the materials are still a bit wet, you will end up with a large mold colony that will result in costly repairs and cleaning. Install new insulation, drywall and carpet padding. Consider having your carpet professionally cleaned to prevent mold growth before reinstalling it. As everything is dry, repairs must move smoothly and can return to a normal state of life. Perform regular maintenance and repairs quickly to avoid future water problems.