Your Guide To Recovering From Water Damage
Flooding, leaky roofs, and broken pipes can result in water damage—suddenly, you’re stuck trudging through water inside your home or business.
Furniture is ruined, your floors are soggy, and you may even be dealing with structural damage on top of it all. Cleaning up can be a nightmare, and it’s not a job you want to tackle alone. This is when you want to contact the water damage restoration specialists.
So, what is water damage restoration, and what does the process entail? We’ll answer these questions and more in the following paragraphs.
What is Water Damage Restoration?
Water damage restoration refers to the processes used to return your property to its original state before the flooding occurred. You should expect your technician to carefully inspect the damage, extract the excess water, dehumidify, and sanitize the area before starting on any necessary reconstruction.
You may believe you can handle the clean-up process without having to hire any professional assistance. However, it’s also best to work with a water damage restoration expert to get the job done.
They’re well-equipped to access and repair any structural damage. The professionals also have the tools and safety equipment necessary to remove water that may potentially contain hazardous waste and/or chemicals.
When it comes to recovering after water damage, it’s always best to play it safe and hire an experienced restoration company to take care of things.
Common Causes of Water Damage
Several factors can cause water damage—you may live in a flood plain or have old, leaky pipes to deal with. To inform you, here are some of the most common causes of major water damage:
- Air conditioner producing too much condensation
- Natural disasters, like hurricanes, heavy rain, and fire
- Broken PVC or rubber water supply lines
- Poorly functioning household appliances like dishwashers and washing machines
- Clogged gutters and drains
- Sewer and septic tank backups or overflows
- Leaking or burst pipes
- Damaged inground sprinkler systems
- Old, leaking water heaters
- Frequent toilet overflows
- Poor roof drainage
- Broken sump pumps
While there’s little you can do about natural disasters, you can’t control the weather. However, you can take proactive steps to help prevent flooding caused by appliances, gutters, roofs, drains, etc. Annual inspections and regular maintenance can help protect your property from experiencing water damage.
How to Know if You Have Water Damage
Some signs of water damage are obvious—for example, soggy floors and cracks forming on your walls and ceilings. Other signs are not as obvious and may require a professional inspection to determine if you’re dealing with water damage.
- Warped or swollen walls
- Cracks forming on the ceiling and/or walls
- The paint is peeling or bubbling
- Persistent damp or musty odors
- Sagging or soft spots in the walls, ceiling, and floors
- Structural damage
- Random puddles of water formed in and around the building
- Sudden growth of mold and mildew
- Water stains
If you notice any of these signs, contact a water restoration specialist to resolve the issue. Waiting until the problem becomes worse can lead to expensive cleanup and repair bills.
Steps Involved In The Water Restoration Process
There are multiple steps involved in the cleanup after a flooding event. Every step may not apply to your unique situation, and it often depends on the extent of the damage.
Damage Inspection
Before starting the cleanup process, the water restoration specialist will conduct a thorough inspection of your property. Along with assessing the damage, the specialist will also look for and identify the water source. From there, the technician will classify the damage and water contamination category.
After stopping the source of flooding, if applicable, the technician will classify the water into one of three categories.
- White water is a category 1 and implies there’s little to no risk of contamination. This type of water typically comes from sinks, bathtubs, water heaters, and the building’s pipes.
- Gray water is in category 2 and contains contaminants. Dishwashers and washing machines are often the culprits in this type of flooding.
- Black water is considered category 3 and can be hazardous. Flooding from toilets and sewage systems falls into this category.
Knowing the water’s classification will help the technician decide on the appropriate clean-up plan. The water’s classification also determines if the technician is required to follow specific health and safety guidelines.
Remove the Standing Water
A process known as water extraction is the next step. The water restoration team will use machines like submersible pumps and industrial-grade vacuums to remove any standing water. For smaller jobs, the technician may only need a wet/dry vac, the equipment used depends on the scope of the job.
An infrared camera or moisture meter may also be used if the technician suspects pockets of water are behind your walls or underneath floorboards. This way they can detect hidden pockets of water without tearing out your floors or walls.
Dry and Dehumidify
Get ready to watch the water restoration professionals break out the industrial-grade fans and dehumidifiers. If you haven’t removed all of your possessions, now is a good time. This way, you don’t have to worry about the heavy-duty fans blowing your belongings around or getting in the way of the restoration crew.
How long it takes to dry the affected area will depend on the weather and the extent of the flooding. Some properties are completely dry in a few hours, and others can take a couple of days.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
Once everything is dry, the team will clean and sanitize all affected surfaces. Not only does this eliminate any leftover hazardous chemicals and waste, but it also prevents mold and mildew from forming. Both mold and mildew can cause health complications with prolonged exposure.
You should expect the technician to use tools like an air scrubber and HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) vacuum.
Repair Any Damage
After extracting the water, drying the area, and sanitizing, the last step is to repair any damage you may have. This can include replacing wet flooring and drywall or reconstructing the foundation and structural support.
Before starting the repair project, the technician will outline the plans. This way, there aren’t any unpleasant surprises when you get the final bill.
Let the Experts Handle Your Water Remediation Needs
Nobody wants to have to deal with water damage. When you have standing water indoors, you want to call the professionals to deal with it.
Not only does this help ensure all damage is properly repaired, but it may also be necessary if you’re dealing with category 2 or 3 water. If you experience flooding, contact the experts.
