According to water damage repair experts, water damage is the number one reason homeowners file claims against their insurance companies.

Fast-growing franchisor 1-800 WATER DAMAGE experts, which appears on-site to dry and begin restoration on water-soaked ceilings, walls and floors within 90 minutes of being called by panicked homeowners, say the need for emergency water damage relief is always present, and not because of weather-related storms and floods. The company provides such services as water damage restoration, odor control, de-humidification, sewage clean-ups, debris removal, water extraction, sanitization, crawl space drying, carpet cleaning, emergency board-ups, structural drying, wind damage, disinfecting and basement drying.

"Most water damage calls come as a result of accidents within the home, and are not weather related," says 1-800 WATER DAMAGE President Lisa Bongi. "Water from the failure of indoor appliances, or plumbing, is the second highest specific cause of homeowner's insurance claims. The average water damage claim is about $4,024."

Only two out of every 100 insured homes will file a water damage claim within the year, yet 22 percent of all insurance losses are caused by water damage, on average, says Bongi, making water damage an issue for all homeowners.

Should a leak or flood occur, company technicians recommend that homeowners do the following to minimize loss and prevent further damage:

Do's

• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting the saturated area.

• Wipe furniture to remove excess water.

• Place aluminum foil between furniture legs and wet carpet.

• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying.

• Lift drapes off flooring, loop through a coat hanger and hang on curtain rod.

• Remove wet area rugs.

• Turn on air conditioner if damage occurs in summer.

• Move valuable paintings, art objects and photos to a safe, dry place.

• Open closet doors, furniture drawers, and luggage to aid in drying.

• Remove any wet fabrics and dry immediately.

• Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.

• Stay out of any rooms where the ceiling is sagging from trapped water.

Don'ts

• Use your household vacuum to remove the excess water.

• Use electrical appliances while standing on wet flooring or carpets.

• Wait to call for professional help. The longer you wait, the more damage will occur.

Published: April 1, 2005

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Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.