What To Expect From A Water Damage Restoration Service

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

About 40 percent of American homeowners say they’ve experienced some loss due to water damage. Interestingly, most cases of water damage are easily preventable.

Water damage can prove costly. Dealing with the problem promptly, however, can help you minimize the losses. One way to handle cases of flooding and water damage is by contacting a water damage restoration service right away.

But what exactly should you expect from water damage restoration services? More importantly, what should you look for in a water damage company? These are some of the issues we discuss in this comprehensive guide. 

Keep reading to learn more.

How Does Water Damage Occur?

Before you seek help with water damage, it helps to know what exactly causes water damage. This way, it’s easier to prevent it from happening or to deal with it more effectively when it does happen. 

Water damage happens when there’s excess water in areas where it shouldn’t be. There are many causes for this. These include:

• Burst or leaking pipes
• Plumbing issues
• Water pooling in attics, basements, or crawl spaces
• Faulty household appliances, e.g. the fridge
• Weather-related issues

The moment you spot any signs of water damage, you need to address the issue right away. Contact a reputable water damage company to help mitigate the problem.

Types of Water Damage

Water damage restoration professionals classify water damage in three categories. The type of water damage determines the scope of the mitigation. Let’s examine each of these categories closely:

Category 1

Category 1 water damage is also referred to as clean water. Sources of this type of water damage include water leaks from burst pipes, tub overflows, and the shower. Such water damage typically doesn’t pose health risks to residents. 

Category 2

This category of water damage is also known as grey water. Such water usually contains a considerable degree of biological and chemical contaminants. These contaminants can be harmful to people.

Sources of grey water include toilet overflows, sump pump failures, and leaks from the washing machine. 

Category 3

This category of water damage is also referred to as black water. The water contains bacteria, fungus, and unsanitary agents that can cause potentially serious illnesses. Sources of category 3 water damage include overflows from sewer lines, ground surface water, rising waters from rivers, storms, and so on.

When left untreated, category 2 water damage can quickly escalate to category 3.

Immediate Steps to Take After You Become Aware of Water Damage

As soon as it’s clear that you have water damage in your home, you need to assess the situation and take necessary steps. Generally, you’ll need to do three things. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Talk to a Plumber

In many situations, the cause of water damage is a plumbing issue. In such a situation, call your plumber to help identify the source of the water. Once they’ve identified the source, it’s easy to fix the problem.  

Talk to a Water Damage Restoration Service

Sometimes, you need to contact a water extraction company. Such a company will usually have the appropriate personnel and equipment to tackle water damage effectively. Your plumber may be able to assist in this step.

Call Your Homeowner’s Insurance Provider

One of the primary reasons you have homeowner’s insurance is to help recover losses after water damage. Notify your insurance provider the moment you become aware of water damage in your home.

Your insurance company may have a list of technicians, plumbers, and water damage restoration services they recommend, although it’s within your rights to work with whomever you feel comfortable with.

The Water Damage Restoration Process

As soon as you’ve contacted a water restoration service provider, they'll determine the scope of the damage and then create an action plan for structural dry-out. Where necessary, they'll also test for asbestos before beginning the dry-out process.  

Depending on the building materials, the restoration company may use different methods to fix the water damage. They may use air movers, dehumidifiers, and air movers.

During the drying process, contaminated items will first be removed from the house. All affected materials are then cleaned and dried to industry standards. The best companies will also offer thorough cleaning and sanitizing services, so your home is as fresh as possible.  

During the entire restoration process, the water damage company maintains photos and moisture logs to ensure nothing goes missing. The company will also maintain communication with you in case you have relocated to another house.

The best water damage restoration companies also communicate with the insurance on your behalf to make sure you receive full coverage.

Choosing the Best Water Damage Company

Now that you know what to expect from a water damage restoration company, it's time to talk about what you need to look for in one. The fact is that not all water damage companies are created equal. Here are three things a water damage company needs to have.

Certification

Water damage restoration is a tough job that should be handled by a qualified contractor. That’s why you should only work with certified technicians. If a contractor cannot prove that they have the necessary legal documents for the job, it’s a massive red flag.

A Stellar Reputation

Ask for references before working with a particular water damage restoration provider. Check out their website for customer reviews. If previous customers seem happy with a company’s services, chances are you will be too.

Availability

Incidences of water damage can happen without warning. You want to be sure that your prospective water damage restoration service provider is available 24/7. If a company cannot guarantee availability at any time of day or night, move on.

Find the Best Water Damage Company for You

Water damage can prove disastrous, so you need to act at the first sign of trouble. Identifying a reliable water damage restoration service provider is a great way to stay prepared.

Are you looking for cost-effective water damage restoration services? Please contact us today.