If you're reading this, you may be wondering what happened with our home water damage experience…..and what helped us as we navigated the process of getting it repaired.

I truly hope you aren't here because you TOO are in the midst of water damage restoration.  If so, I'm sorry.  I seriously underestimated what a process this would be (and as I write this, we are about two weeks from the finish line).

Home Water Damage: What Happened to Us

If only I knew then, what I know now.  Let's talk about the timeline for OUR home water damage.  At the end of March, our family went up to Yosemite Valley for a 3 night getaway (yes, this all happened in less than 3 days).  When we returned to our home, we noticed something seemed….weird about our kitchen floor. It was….wet.  When we stepped on it, water seeped out (almost like from wringing water out of a sponge).  We discovered this pretty late at night, so we threw some towels down and figured we'd deal with it the next morning.  Fast forward 24 hours.  EPIC HOME WATER DAMAGE.

I have to say, while this has been a SERIOUSLY stressful process….our insurance team has been very supportive and helpful.

1. Water Remediation: The first step? After filing our insurance claim of course? Was getting the water OUT.  Our insurance sent a team out.  It took about 2-3 weeks of VERY loud machines running constantly to remove the water from our floor, walls and dry wall.  Prepare yourself…..the noise is a LOT.  In hindsight, this might have been the worst part in terms of noise.  Why? It's constant for the entire day and night.  At least construction noise ends at the end of the day!
2. Selecting a Contractor: The tough part of home water damage? You aren't prepared.  If you're doing a home remodel, you can spend MONTHS looking for a contractor and interviewing people.  In this case?  We were functioning without a kitchen or downstairs.  Moving quickly was a priority.  We ended up interviewing three contractors (two we found on Yelp and one recommended by our insurance adjuster).  Who did we chose? The recommendation by our adjuster and in hindsight, so glad we did.  Our contractor has been VERY helpful in terms of navigating our insurance company.  We would have been totally lost on our own.
3. Waiting and Waiting: The biggest road block people warned us about? The waiting.  It took about 3 months from filing a claim to actually having the funds released to start the repair work.  Yes, that's three months without a kitchen.
4. Construction Zone: The good news? What seemed like a HUGE job to us? Is pretty run of the mill for our contractor.  And right now? We're two or three weeks into construction, and the end IS in sight.  We currently have no kitchen, and no laundry room.  But, we are making it work!

Home Water Damage: Resources

1. Laundry: This was one of my biggest concerns….HOW WOULD WE DO LAUNDRY?  Enter Lndry.  This local laundry service here in San Diego has been a GAME CHANGER.  They provide a special bag each week.  We fill it with our dirty items and specify any instructions for washing and drying.  They pick it up, and bring it back a few days later washed and folded.
2. Meals: A challenge.  If you have experienced home water damage that affects your kitchen, be sure to check with your insurance if you are staying in the home.  Our refunds us for a portion of all meals that we order.  So…..it's grilling and Doordash.  And lots of cereal.  Yes it's tough, but…..it's for a limited period of time.

Have you experience home water damage? Any tips?