There are many things both inside and outside a home or business that could result in flooding. Any type of water damage can cause serious harm to a building. Burst pipes, water heater failure, sewer backup, sump pump failure or a clogged toilet are some of the many ways water damage can happen to a home or business. Hurricanes have wreaked havoc on many homes and businesses along the coast. The water damage that incurs from a natural disaster can be devastating. While some of the damage may leave the home uninhabitable or destroyed, sometimes water restoration can return families to their homes. Water damage must be remedied soon after it happens before it gets worse. The longer the water has time to sit, the more problems the homeowner or business owner will have.
That is where water restoration comes in. It isn’t just drying and cleaning up a home or business. Surface drying is not sufficient after a flood or any kind of water damage. Carpets, furniture, and drywall can hold water even after they feel dry. A restoration team can dry surfaces properly which would eliminate potential foul smells, bacteria, and viruses. If not done properly anyone who lives or visits the home may experience health issues.
The process can be a long or short one. It all depends on the extent of the damage done to the property. There are three classes of water damage. Class 1 is when part of a room is damaged. Class 2 is when the entire room is damaged including the carpet and the walls. Class 3 is when the water damage is in the walls and the entire area and the water may be entering through the ceiling. Class 4 will require special drying as the damage may be in hardwood, stone or concrete.
There are also different categories of water damage. Category 1 is when the damage comes from a clean water source. These sources include toilet tanks and broken pipes that contained cleaned water. Category 2 is water damage that comes from grey water. Grey water comes from water that contains detergents like, from a dishwasher or washing machine. It could also come from water containing urine. Category 3 is water damage that comes from unsanitary water. This water may cause illnesses, diseases or death. This water comes from sewage, river flooding or standing water that is growing bacteria.
First, there is an inspection. Someone will look at the building and the water damage source. An inspector will determine what class and category the damage is. They will use moisture detection equipment to analyze the damage. Then the water is removed. Next, any of the contents or structures that are no longer usable are discarded. These contents include carpet, other floorings, damaged drywall, paneling, shelving, and cabinets. The area is then cleaned and disinfected. Once that is done the area is well ventilated and dehumidified. This last step is extremely important. If the structure isn’t properly ventilated mold or more water damage can happen. Mold can start inside the walls and it would not be noticed for a long time. Mold could cause serious health problems. Then there is a final inspection to make sure the restoration was done correctly.
The damage done to the property is documented before, during and after the process. The documentation makes it easier to deal with insurance companies.
When dealing with water damage it may not seem like a big deal at first. The damage may be relatively small but that doesn’t mean the restoration shouldn’t be implemented. On the outside, it may seem like it’s just a wet spot, but the internal damage may be significant and should be dealt with in a timely manner.