Water damage is undeniably one of the worst problems that could ever hit your home and signals a nightmare for any homeowner. So, when the situation surfaces in your property, taking quick action is absolutely essential.
Perhaps the toughest challenge is knowing where to start. Amidst the panic and fear, you’ll be all too aware that leaving the issue untreated could lead to even more significant problems. Don’t start waving the white flag just yet, though, because our online Water Damage Restoration center has you covered.
Identifying Water Damage Around Your Home
Most homeowners will find that calling a professional to repair the damage is the best solution. After all, nobody can afford to take risks with the health of their property and families. Before setting to work on the restoration work (even if you decide to take the DIY option), you must first learn to spot water damage at the earliest stage possible as this is what will allow you to respond in the quickest fashion.
Only a small percentage of water damaged homes are completely flooded, so staying vigilant is crucial. Here are just some of the issues you may encounter.
- Clogged toilets.
- Faulty drains.
- Leaking pipes.
- Flood waters.
- Damp on walls.
- Dripping water from ceilings.
- Water from washing machine overflow.
- Puddled water.
While those issues may be symptoms of other problems, keeping an eye on the situation throughout the home is vital. Even a 1/8-inch crack could release 250 gallons of water per day, which is just one example that should underline the need to take responsibility. Flooding can also occur due to storm damage or as a result of firefighting endeavors.
Whatever the source of your problems may be, finding an expert to fix the damage ASAP is essential.
Why Is It So Important To Act Fast?
First and foremost, restoring the damage will go a long way toward preventing further problems from occurring. This in itself should incentivize you to call a professional water damage restoration service right away.
However, there are many other reasons why you should attend to the water damage immediately. Wet materials become a breeding ground for bacteria and harmful microorganisms. Ultimately, this can lead to mold that will leave products beyond repair and start to produce a foul smell throughout your home or commercial property.
Most importantly, though, leaving these issue untreated will put your family’s health at risk as you breathe in the bacteria and interact with the harmful materials. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that any products that are not treated within 48 hours of the water damage occurring should be thrown out. This step additionally boosts the air quality to aid the restoration process.
Therefore, for the sake of your health and possessions, allowing the damage to worsen simply isn’t an option. You must act fast, and in the most appropriate fashion. In most cases, opting for an expert is the best route to take by far.
Why Choose An Expert?
Given the impact that this type of damage can bring to your family’s health as well as the condition of the property, it is not a job that you’ll want to get wrong. Therefore, hiring a professional to rectify the issue by repairing the damage is highly advised.
Here are ten benefits to be had from taking this route:
- Save money in the long run due to saving more products and stopping future damage.
- Discover the exact type, source, and severity of damage.
- Prevent the threat of accidentally damaging other parts of the home.
- Save time and hassle as you won’t be attempting to try things you’re not qualified to do.
- No need for sourcing specialist equipment.
- Gain peace of mind, knowing that the work is completed to the best standards.
- Treat additional problems that you may have otherwise missed.
- Keep your insurance coverage unviolated.
- Avoid needing to get dirty while touching contaminated materials and water.
- Gain valuable information on how to prevent future episodes.
While there are a few things that can be done in the meantime to prevent the situation from getting any worse, even a passionate DIY enthusiast would be better off choosing the professional water damage restoration service. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
So, What Should You Do In The Meantime?
While waiting for the professional service to arrive, several steps can be taken to gain control over the situation. Here are some of the best;
- Check for immediate dangers such as electrical hazards and slippery surfaces before attending to them in the appropriate fashion.
- Switch on the air con, open the windows and use fans to begin the drying process before the professional service begins.
- Begin to dry upholstery and rugs by hanging them in an airing space. Place loose items from tabletops in this dry space too.
- Soak up surface moisture from the floors by using mops, and wipe down wooden tables and furniture.
- Create a makeshift water barrier between furniture and drenched carpets.
Do these things, and it may help contain the damage. In turn, this could make the restoration process a little easier for the experts.
Classes of Water Damage
Water damage cases commonly fall into one of the following four classes;
Class 1: This is the lowest level of damage, where a room has absorbed some moisture but has yet to spread or escalate into anything worse.
Class 2: This is a slightly greater level of damage, where an entire room has been affected by water damage. This includes walls and flooring.
Class 3: This is the worst damage and is where the water has been absorbed into the walls and may also come through the ceiling.
Class 4: This is where damage has affected materials like concrete and hardwoods, subsequently requiring specialty drying.
By identifying the class and severity of damage, the experts can offer the best, fastest, and most affordable type of restoration.
Categories of Water Damage
In addition to the four classes, the water damage can fall into three categories. They are as follows;
Category 1: The water damage is caused by a clean water source, such as toilets or pipes that supply the home with clean water. This can be seen as less dangerous but will progress to Category 2 or Category 3 if left untreated.
Category 2: The water damage is caused by a “grey water” source. Washing machines and dishwashers are common culprits, although toilet overflows can be the root of Category 2 problems too.
Category 3: The water damage is caused by unsanitary water that could cause illness or diseases. This type of water commonly comes from sewage, river floods, and standing water. Due to the bacteria, this is the most dangerous category by far.
Again, the experts will confirm the category far quicker than you ever could. This will ensure the next steps are the very best.
What’s Involved In The Restoration Process?
When finding a restoration team that is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), you can act with confidence.
After clarifying the type, severity, and source of the damage, the next step is to repair the damage and prevent future issues. While the exact methods of treatment will be influenced by the findings of the inspection, the restoration process follows a similar pattern.
Water Removal
The removal process involves using industrial fans and vacuums to clear the affected room(s) of any moisture. This includes collecting water from carpets, walls, and household goods that may have collected water.
An expert may use different materials depending on the category and class of damage, but the most critical aspect is to act fast. This prevents bacteria growth and potential mold. Once the water has been successfully removed from the property, the situation shouldn’t get any worse. This will allow the experts to begin repairing the home.
Drying
Upon completion of the water removal phase, the drying and dehumidification can take place. This requires industrial quality products and fans while the job itself may take several weeks to finish, depending on the severity of damage in the first place.
This process will remove any final remnants of moisture, which is another important step for preventing bacteria growth.
Cleaning
The cleaning process involves sanitizing carpets and affected items with air scrubbers and antimicrobial treatments. This will kill any emerging bacteria and prevent any threat of new growth, meaning that the materials themselves are nearly good as new. Following the procedure, some items may need to be dried again, although this isn’t anywhere near as long as the above drying process.
While the professionals will try to save anything that hasn’t been left untreated for over 48 hours, you may have to accept that some materials like clothing or drapery will need to be replaced.
Restoration
This is the stage where the experts actively replace ruined materials within the room. This can range from drywall to ductwork and insulation. In Class 1 cases, installing a handful of new drywall panels may suffice. In more serious cases, though, an entire wall may need replacing.
Likewise, floors and other items may need treating and replacing at this time. In older homes, asbestos worries are another item to consider, which is yet another incentive to choose a professional over the DIY approach. The combination of expert touch and professional tools and materials will produce far better results.
Timescales, costs, and other vital features will all be heavily influenced by the Class and Category of the job. Likewise, the speed of your response can impact the level of work that’s required. Nonetheless, once the restoration has been completed, there should be no evidence of the leak, flood, or other water damage source.
In fact, your home will look better than ever. While every homeowner would still rather avoid the situation altogether, there’s no doubt that this is the best way to turn a negative into a positive.
What To Look For In A Professional Water Damage Restoration Team
If you’re going to call an expert rather than risk trying to treat the problem yourself, it’s imperative that you find the best team for the job. Anything less than perfection simply won’t suffice.
There are a number of qualities to seek from a professional water damage restoration service. As such, you should look to ask yourself the following questions;
- Where is the company based?
- Are the company’s technicians fully certified?
- Does the company boast the right level of experience?
- How quick are the company to respond to calls and emails?
- How quickly can the company send a technician out to the property?
- What are the costs and associated payment plans?
- How do insurers see this company?
- What guarantees are provided on the workmanship?
Essentially, you need to know that the restoration job will be completed to the very highest standards by a team of experts that are as committed to getting the property back to its best as you are. Achieve this while getting value for money in the process, and you won’t go far wrong.
Moreover, you must find a professional that will begin the restoration process with a thorough inspection that analyzes the Class and Category of water damage before beginning the active repair job.
Water damage is not an issue that should be taken lightly. It needs to be treated quickly and in the most efficient fashion. This means treating the affected areas, removing any dangerous or ruined materials, and ensuring that all sources of potential resurfacing are attended to.
For most homeowners (and business owners), a certified and reliable expert in the field of water damage restoration will be the best solution. If you need a helping hand in finding one, we boast a solid network of reputable experts from coast to coast.
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