We receive questions from homeowners and commercial property owners in Lake George, Saratoga, Queensbury, Albany and the Greater Capital Region who are seeking advisement on flood cleanup, and water damage restoration. In the case of both of these issues, time is of the essence. With that in mind, here are our expert answers to commonly asked questions.
How do you clean up after a flood?
Cleaning up from a flood can feel like such a daunting task. Here’s a list of things you should do if you experience flooding:
- Shut off the water supply to your house to avoid additional water accumulation.
- Turn the main electricity supply off as soon as possible. Never enter a flooded area while the power is on.
- Take photos and videos of the damage throughout the entirety of the process for insurance claim purposes
- If you can, move furniture or other perishable items from the area that has been affected by the flooding. If you can’t completely remove them from the room, try to at least prop them up off of the wet floor.
- Open windows and doors to increase air flow through the space to speed up the drying process
- Try to remove whatever water you can. DO NOT use a regular household vacuum to do so. If a lot of water has accumulated, call a water damage restoration company to properly remove the water and dry out the space before mold has a chance to grow.
Will insurance cover the water damage in your property?
It’s important to know that whether or not your insurance covers the flooding depends on WHAT caused the water damage in the first place. Homeowners insurance covers many “sudden or accidental” water damage instances that occur “within” the home, such as a pipe burst, faulty appliance, a leaking water heater or a localized overflow of water. However, there are several exceptions that are not protected under regular insurance. These include seepage of groundwater, rising waters due to storms or torrential rain and issues caused by a lack of maintenance. It’s best to familiarize yourself with your policy to know what is and is not covered. Some policies have add-ons for types of flooding, which will increase your coverage.
Keep in mind that if insurance will cover the damage, you have a right as a home or business owner to select a company of your choosing to do the water damage restoration and mold remediation and rebuild work (if needed). You don’t always have to use the business that the insurance company partners with. Do your research and decide which company feels most knowledgeable, reliable and trustworthy to you.
Learn more about when insurance covers flooding and when it does not by reading our blog.
Keep in mind that if insurance will cover the damage, you have a right as a home or business owner to select a company of your choosing to do the water damage restoration and mold remediation and rebuild work (if needed). You don’t always have to use the business that the insurance company partners with. Do your research and decide which company feels most knowledgeable, reliable and trustworthy to you.
Learn more about when insurance covers flooding and when it does not by reading our blog.
What Happens During a Water Damage Restoration Visit?
Upon arriving at the scene, the restoration specialist will begin a 5-step process. The scope of how long the process takes depends on a number of factors including, how soon they were called and what the extent of the damage is. The five steps include:
- Conduct an Inspection and Water Damage Assessment
- Begin Flood Cleanup: Water Removal and Extraction
- Dry and Dehumidify the Impacted Area
- Clean and Sanitize the Affected Area
- Restore the Damaged Area and Begin the Rebuild Process
How long does water damage take to dry out?
This is dependent upon the severity of the damage. It can take anywhere from 12 hours to several weeks.
Can water damage cause mold?
Absolutely. Water damage is the leading cause of mold growth, as mold needs moisture to cultivate.
How fast does mold grow after a water leak?
Mold typically takes 24 to 48 hours to grow after a flood if the conditions are right, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The type of surface and material, amount of moisture and temperature all play a role in mold growth.
Do you need to replace drywall after a leak?
Drywall is highly porous and accommodates water very easily. This makes it very suitable for mold growth. Given that, affected drywall is replaced on most occasions after water damage. Our team is highly experienced with the safe removal of contaminated walls and will set up containment zone to reduce the spread of any potential mold that has accumulated. Once the drywall is removed, the space is properly dried and any mold has been remediated, our team works diligently to reconstruct and rebuild the damaged area.
Learn more about signs and symptoms of water damage on drywall.
Learn more about signs and symptoms of water damage on drywall.
How much do water damage services cost?
Because there are so many variables involved, like the source of the flood, how much water has accrued and what surfaces have been affected, there is no way to provide a one-size-fits-all estimate. We advise you to call our office at 518-608-6242 or contact us here for a free consultation about your particular water damage needs. Our knowledgeable team is available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.