It’s that dreaded thought you first had when a storm surge took hold and the basement started to fill, or when you noticed the drywall was damp and there was a wet spot on the floor or ceiling; what if there’s water damage? Though the answer to that question is simple, you should call a professional water damage restoration company, what isn’t is dealing with the aftermath. Upon discovery you may question if you can do it yourself and ask how you can tell if it’s really water damage? This natural first step of confirming damage is important as the longer water damage is left, the more likely of further harm and the need for mold remediation.
It's Water Damage: What Should I Do?
After calling a professional water damage restoration specialist, you should follow the water damage do’s and don’ts which includes:
- If able identify the source of the leak and shut off water
- Relocate all important items to a safe, dry place
- If there isn’t standing water, use fans to help dry the room out
- Do not turn on heat to dry things out, this will breed mold
- Do not use a vacuum for flood cleanup
- Do not attempt to clean up sewage with ordinary cleaning products
What Will the Water Damage Restoration Service Entail?
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.
1. Conduct an Inspection and Water Damage Assessment
The water damage repair specialist will first survey the property using a hygrometer and moisture detector to determine how much water is present. This may include water which is not visibly seen, but has soaked into porous materials such as sheetrock. While taking measurements, the specialist will try to track down the root cause of the issue and if able, secure the property from further damage.
At this point they will have a decent idea of the damage, but will need to remove all standing water to inspect underlying layers and confirm if a water damage rebuild service is needed. They will also advise you on how hazardous the home is depending on finding mold, and or the quality of the water. If the water is gray, or black, the home is dangerous and it will be recommended to stay at another location until remediation is complete.
At this point they will have a decent idea of the damage, but will need to remove all standing water to inspect underlying layers and confirm if a water damage rebuild service is needed. They will also advise you on how hazardous the home is depending on finding mold, and or the quality of the water. If the water is gray, or black, the home is dangerous and it will be recommended to stay at another location until remediation is complete.
2. Begin Flood Cleanup: Water Removal and Extraction
At this stage, the use of pumps and specialized vacuums will start to remove excess water. The time it takes is variable and entirely dependent upon how much water is present at the site.
With standing water cleared, a second inspection will be done, checking the underlying floor and surrounding areas for damage. This can include lifting carpets, checking under floor boards, and checking floor seams.
With standing water cleared, a second inspection will be done, checking the underlying floor and surrounding areas for damage. This can include lifting carpets, checking under floor boards, and checking floor seams.
3. Dry and Dehumidify the Impacted Area
Industrial dehumidifiers will be brought in to dry out saturated surfaces. Moisture levels will be tracked to ensure that all areas are dry before a thorough cleaning may begin. This step could require the specialist to leave and return several more times before the surfaces are declared dry. How long it will take to dehumidify the area is dependent on how porous surrounding surfaces are, and how long they have been exposed, or how saturated they are.
4. Clean and Sanitize the Affected Area
Unsalvageable materials will be disposed of and remaining surfaces will undergo a thorough cleaning process which includes a mix of dry cleaning, wet cleaning and in cases of further damage, immersion and abrasive cleaning may be used.
If mold was discovered before, or during the cleaning process, immediate mold removal and remediation will be performed.
If mold was discovered before, or during the cleaning process, immediate mold removal and remediation will be performed.
5. Restore the Damaged Area and Begin the Rebuild Process
In the final step, damaged areas will be remedied. For simple cases, it will involve repairing the foundation that is already present, like the carpet, drywall, or floor. In more complex, or damaged homes, a water damage rebuild service may be needed for complete reconstruction of damaged areas.
When work is completed, your home will be restored back to its original condition.
If you think you are in need of water damage restoration, flood cleanup, or mold remediation, CleanBright Surface Restoration is proud to serve the greater Albany NY, Western Vermont & Western Massachusetts areas and everything in between.
Don’t wait and let the damage worsen, call 518-608-6242.
When work is completed, your home will be restored back to its original condition.
If you think you are in need of water damage restoration, flood cleanup, or mold remediation, CleanBright Surface Restoration is proud to serve the greater Albany NY, Western Vermont & Western Massachusetts areas and everything in between.
Don’t wait and let the damage worsen, call 518-608-6242.
