Effective Steps for Water Damage Restoration

All properties can be affected by natural disasters and property damage that could lead to water damage. Even an untreated leak in your property can lead to costly damage and repairs that can exhaust your resources to address it later. 

As such, it’s essential to seek out water damage restoration as soon as you see signs of water damage. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from water damage restoration services.

 

What Does a Water Restoration Service Process Look Like?

 

It’s best to act quickly after a devastating flood or an unexpected plumbing incident. Left unchecked, water can lead to long-term structural and property damage and health hazards. 

Some insurance companies also expect you to take steps to mitigate water damage. Wiping away water spills won’t remove the risk of water that has already seeped into the inner walls of your property, so it’s best to contact a restoration company immediately. 

Here’s a general overview of what to expect from water restoration service providers. 

1. Initial Inspection

In incidents such as disaster response, which require immediate attention, you may need to seek out emergency services. Water damage and mold can develop with time, so contacting service providers immediately mitigates the damage to your property. In most cases, restoration companies that provide emergency services can handle cases such as: 

• Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, storms, and floods
• Burst pipes
• Sewer line breaks
• Septic tank backflow

For non-emergency cases, you can schedule a technician to perform an initial inspection. Once they arrive, they can inspect your property, recommend the appropriate actions, go through the process with you, and answer any questions regarding restoration and insurance claims before they begin work. In the meantime, you can mitigate further damage by removing as much standing water and moisture as possible. 

 

2. Water Damage Mitigation

Technicians will first locate the source of water damage and take steps to mitigate any further damage. For example, they may shut off your water supply if it’s a leak or plumbing issue. For natural disasters or scenarios that could be electrical hazards, they may shut off electricity on your property. 

Next, they will prepare the room for water extraction. If you’ve already started the process, they could perform additional checks for areas such as inside your walls, ceilings, and flooring. They may need to remove some items in your home, especially those prone to absorbing water or taking on water damage, such as rugs and carpets, clothes, wooden furniture, and other possessions. This can help salvage your items while also providing them better access to all the space in the affected area. 

 

3. Water Extraction

Removing standing water, moisture, and humidity can involve several methods. This includes:

• Equipment such as industrial fans, dehumidifiers, and water vacuum cleaners
• Buckets, mops, towels, and other supplies
• Increasing air circulation indoors to speed up drying

It’s crucial to remove as much excess moisture from your property as possible. Damp areas around your property can create prolific breeding grounds for mold spores, which can grow in as little as 72 hours. Leaving standing water to dry on its own can also lead to water seeping into porous surfaces in the walls, ceiling, and floor. This can lead to materials warping and discoloring. 

 

4. Treating Water Damage

Once most of the water has been extracted, the property structure may still have some moisture. Your service provider will then handle the structural and aesthetic water damage and provide the necessary removals, replacements, and more. 

Depending on the damage severity, technicians may inspect your property for long-term issues such as mold growth. Additional moisture in the walls and ceilings can turn your property into a breeding ground for mold spores, which can become a health hazard, especially for those with respiratory conditions.

 

5. Cleaning and Disinfection

The restoration technicians will next focus on your furniture and other items affected by water damage. Some furniture and items can be salvaged through water-damage cleaning services or disinfection, while others may be too damaged to restore. If your insurance covers these possessions, you may need to work with your insurance broker and restoration service provider to file a claim. 

 

6. Additional Property Repairs and Reconstruction

After your property’s structure has dried and is safe to work on, your property restoration technician can monitor and perform the necessary repairs. Depending on your property’s condition and the output quality of your team, your property can return to its original and safe standards. 

 

What Should You Do in Case of Property Damage?

 

• If natural disasters cause property damage, wait for your local government’s announcements when it’s safe to proceed. 
• Contact local services such as your water and electricity provider. If possible and necessary, shut off your water supply and electricity to avoid further damage.
• Contact your insurance company and wait for further instructions or advice on proceeding with claims. You may be asked to take pictures of the damage around your property.
• Contact a professional water damage restoration company and repair service. Some restoration companies also provide repair and reconstruction services to reduce the need to deal with additional service providers. 
• Removing standing water on your property using mops, sponges, rags, and towels. Open windows and doors around your property to promote ventilation. 
• Set aside wet linens such as bed sheets, curtains, and table linens. Try to wipe as much moisture from furniture as possible. Collect valuables and important documents. These should always be kept in airtight containers.

Additionally, avoid handling the following tasks. Leave these in the hands of professional property restoration technicians:

• Avoid trying to remove mold yourself. Improper handling can spread mold spores around your property.
• Only vacuum standing water if your vacuum is specifically designed for dry and wet functions.
• Avoid touching or handling parts of your property with visual structural damage. 

 

Restoration 1 is Your Reliable Water Restoration Service Provider

 

Time is of the essence when dealing with water damage, so it’s best to address signs of standing water and other causes of water damage as soon as possible. This is just an overview of what water damage restoration services look like. However, remember that not all restoration service providers give the same quality of service or attention to detail. Choose the team that delivers flexible and reliable solutions for the best results. 

Restoration 1 is a licensed, insured, and IICRC-certified restoration company that’s prepared to help. Our technicians have the expertise and equipment to mitigate the risk of water damage and help you restore your property. We work with all insurance companies for your convenient claims processing. 

Get in touch with us to schedule a free initial inspection.