Steps to Take When Your Home Is Affected by Water Damage

• Shut Off the Power: If the water is deep or near outlets, go to your main breaker panel and shut off the electricity to the affected areas. If you have to stand in water to reach the panel, do not touch it. Call an electrician or your local utility provider.
• Slip and Fall Hazards: Wet tile, hardwood, and vinyl are incredibly slippery. Wear rubber-soled shoes and move carefully.
• Biological Hazards: If the water is "cloudy" or "smelly" (Category 3/Sewage), avoid contact. This water is biohazardous and contains pathogens.

Step 2: Stop the Flow (The "Source Control" Phase)

Every gallon of water you stop now is a gallon you don't have to extract later.

• Shut Off the Main Water Valve: If the leak is from a pipe or appliance, turn off the main water valve for the entire house.
• The "Ball Valve" Advantage: Most homes in New Braunfels have a "gate valve" (round handle). If yours is stuck, don't force it—it might break. Call a plumber or WTR Restoration for emergency assistance.
• Contain the Leak: If it's a small leak (like a refrigerator line), use towels or buckets to contain the spread.

Step 3: Document the Scene (The "Adjuster-Ready" Step)

As a licensed adjuster, Ben Jernigan cannot emphasize this enough: Photo evidence is your most valuable asset.

• Take Video and Photos: Before you move anything or start mopping, take photos of the standing water, the source of the leak (if visible), and all affected materials (carpet, walls, furniture).
• The "Cause of Loss" Photo: If a pipe burst, take a photo of the burst section. If a roof leaked, take a photo of the ceiling and the exterior roof if possible. This is the "proof" your insurance carrier will demand.

Step 4: Contact WTR Restoration (The "Forensic Expert" Call)

Do not wait for your insurance company to "assign" a contractor. You have the right to choose your own restoration company.

• Why WTR? We aren't just a "drying company." We are forensic moisture mappers. We use infrared cameras (FLIR) and specialized moisture meters (Delmhorst BDX-30) to track the path of the water behind your walls.
• Emergency Dispatch: We serve New Braunfels and the surrounding Central Texas region with 24/7 emergency response.
• The Adjuster Advantage: Because Ben Jernigan is a licensed adjuster, we speak the carrier's language. We use Xactimate for pricing and provide "white glove" documentation that justifies every line item.

Step 5: Contact Your Insurance Carrier (The "Notice of Loss" Step)

Call your agent or the carrier's 24-hour claims line.

• The "Sudden and Accidental" Rule: Tell the adjuster that the damage was "sudden and accidental." This is the language that triggers coverage in most standard Texas policies.
• The "Duty to Mitigate" Clause: Every insurance policy requires you to "mitigate" the damage (i.e., stop it from getting worse). By calling WTR Restoration immediately, you are fulfilling this duty and protecting your claim.

Step 6: Initial Mitigation (The "Damage Control" Phase)

Once it's safe and documented, you can take small steps while waiting for the experts.

• Remove High-Value Items: Move electronics, art, and valuable furniture to a dry area.
• Protect Furniture: If you can't move heavy furniture, place aluminum foil or plastic coasters under the legs to prevent "wicking" of moisture and "staining" from the wood finish.
• Do Not Use a Standard Vacuum: A household vacuum is not designed for water extraction and can be a shock hazard.

Step 7: The Professional Assessment (The "Dr. Moisture" Visit) When WTR

Restoration arrives, we begin our forensic investigation.

• Moisture Mapping: we map the "affected area" using thermal imaging. This allows us to see exactly how far the water traveled under your cabinets or into your wall cavities.
• Psychrometric Baseline: We measure the "dry standard" in an unaffected area of your home to establish our "drying goal."
• Category Determination: We determine the "category" of the water (Category 1, 2, or 3) and the "class" of the loss (Class 1-4) according to IICRC S500 standards.

Step 8: The Extraction and Drying Phase (The "Forensic Science" Step)

We don't just "set up fans." We manage the environment.

• High-Pressure Extraction: We use industrial-grade extractors to pull the "bound water" from your carpet and subfloor.
• LGR Dehumidification: We use LGR (Low Grain Refrigerant) dehumidifiers (like our AlorAir units) to pull moisture from the air, even at low humidity levels.
• Psychrometric Monitoring: We provide daily logs of GPP (Grains Per Pound), temperature, and relative humidity (RH) to ensure the structure is drying correctly.

Step 9: The Sanitization and Decontamination Phase

Once the water is gone, we must deal with the microbiology.

• Hospital-Grade Antimicrobials: We use EPA-registered sanitizers to kill bacteria and inhibit mold growth.
• HEPA Air Scrubbing: If there's a risk of mold or pathogens, we use air scrubbers to clean the air and prevent cross-contamination.

Step 10: The "Final Walkthrough" and Reconstruction Plan

We don't pull our equipment until the structure has reached its "dry standard."

• Post-Mitigation Inspection: We perform a final moisture map to prove the structure is dry.
• Reconstruction Estimate: If drywall or flooring had to be removed, we provide a detailed "Xactimate-ready" estimate for the rebuild. In Central Texas, where rebuild costs can vary wildly, having a professional estimate is essential for your final insurance settlement.

Conclusion: Trust the Process, Trust the Pros

Water damage is a crisis, but with the right action plan and the right team, it doesn't have to be a disaster. By following these steps and choosing the forensic, "white glove" service of WTR Restoration, you are ensuring your home is restored to its pre-loss condition—or better. At WTR Restoration, we serve New Braunfels and the surrounding regions. We provide the expertise of "Dr. Moisture" and the professional integrity of a licensed Texas adjuster. When water hits, don't panic. Follow the Dr. Moisture Action Plan and call WTR Restoration immediately. --- For 24/7 emergency water damage restoration, visit wtrrestoration.com or contact Ben Jernigan at WTR Restoration.

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About WTR Restoration

WTR Restoration is Central Texas's trusted water damage and restoration company, serving New Braunfels and surrounding communities. Our Dr. Moisture protocol combines forensic drying science with licensed insurance adjuster expertise for total property recovery — from initial stabilization to final documentation.

• 🌐 Website: wtrrestoration.com
• 🔬 Dr. Moisture: drmoisture.com
• 📍 Service Area: New Braunfels and all of Central Texas

Ready for professional restoration? Call WTR Restoration — serving New Braunfels and all of Central Texas. Visit wtrrestoration.com or learn about the Dr. Moisture forensic drying protocol at drmoisture.com.