It can be quite problematic to experience sudden water damage in a home or business. When plenty of water is flowing into a house, it’s hard to know what to do or who to call. To avoid severe damage in this case of a water emergency, it’s important to act quickly.
Water damage restoration is the best way to prevent major damage and the spread of mold and germs in the house. After a big disaster, the damage can be cleaned up and repaired by an experienced restoration company.
You should immediately call such a company if the damage is overwhelming and you can’t stop the water flow on your own.
Until Help Arrives, Take These Precautions and Measures
You can do a few things to minimize the damage until the professionals arrive.
- If a kitchen or bathroom pipe bursts, turn off the water valve that goes into the area.
- To get rid of small amounts of standing water, use a wet-dry vacuum cleaner.
- Position fans close to the damaged region to speed up the drying process.
- Dry any wet areas on the furniture.
- Use aluminum foil as a barrier between the wet carpet and the furniture.
- In the summer, turning on the air conditioner can help evaporate water quickly.
- Remove as many things as you can from the floor, including decorations and pieces of furniture.
How Do Professionals Carry Out Water Damage Restoration?
Steps involved in the procedure are as follows:
Proper Examination
Water emergencies, whether caused by broken pipes or natural disasters, should always be checked thoroughly to identify safety hazards and preliminary damage. When there are electric panels nearby, excess water can be dangerous.
A water restoration company will analyze the situation as soon as possible. A plan will be made to remove the water and repair the damage, and they will know what hazards and damages to look for.
Water Extraction
The first step to fixing a problem is to identify its cause. Since water damage restoration experts know the most common reasons why water damage occurs, they can quickly identify the source of the problem.
When that’s taken care of, if a strategy is in place, the extraction process begins. This process facilitates the removal of water from your home or workplace.
To remove water quickly and effectively, commercial and residential water restoration companies use extraction machines, portable water pumps, and water vacuums.
Drying Out and Removal of Moisture
When the extra water from the house is removed, the restoration crew will begin the drying and moisture control process. As water can cause fungus and bacteria to grow, this is a very important step to take (and to do so quickly). Desiccant dehumidifiers and air movers effectively dry and dehumidify a space.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
Once the area has dried, your team will clean, sanitize, and deodorize it.
Floodwater smells bad and may contain hazardous germs. All items will be cleaned and sanitized with eco-friendly and secure cleaners and sanitizers. To help preserve valuable objects in the house, some water restoration companies offer odor removal services for personal goods with strong odors.
Fixing Up and Reconstructing
A home or business that has suffered major damage will need to undergo reconstruction as the last step. During this stage, plasterboard may be repaired or replaced, and fresh carpeting may be installed.
Plumbing, lighting, and other items, including damaged cabinets, will be fixed by the company you work with.
How Much Does Water Damage Restoration Cost?
The most common forms of water damage are leaking faucets, toilet tanks, or water heaters. The cost to repair such water damage is approximately $5 to $6 per square foot.
How to Find the Right Water Damage Restoration Company
Even though it’s not often necessary to be licensed to restore water damage, it’s better if the job is done by a water damage restoration specialist who has IICRC certification.
This certification is a good indicator that the restoration specialists you’re working with are indeed knowledgeable and possess the right skills for the job.
