What is water damage restoration?
Water damage restoration is a service in which water is removed from your house and it is restored to its previous condition. Restoration should be done immediately after water damage as the standing water can cause bacteria and mold to grow.
Restoration of water damage is a very challenging process. If it is left untreated or ignored, it can cause many problems for furniture and it is also a risk for the health of your family members.
It is also known as:
- Water remediation
- Water removal
- Water extraction
- Water mitigation
- Flood cleanup
Determine the cause of water damage
Water damage can come from your home or outside. Outside water damage is usually due to flood water that enters the house and ruins the structures of your property.
Here are some causes of water damage that are more common:
- Water heaters
- Sump pump failure
- Water sprayed to extinguish fires
- Ice dams
- Leaky roofs
- Storm drain backup
- Faulty plumbing
- Leaks from appliances for example garbage disposals, dishwashers, and toilets.
- A natural disaster like hurricane, tornado, and deep freeze
- Clogged gutter and downspout
- Unsealed siding
- Leakage from washing machine
- Cracked or split tile flooring
- Damaged chimneys
- Leaky window and doors
Services provided by water damage restoration companies:
Following services are provided by water damage restoration companies:
- Removal of water
- Immediate water extraction
- Drying and dehumidification
- Restoration of carpets
- Cleaning, deodorization, and spot removal of carpets
- Odor and Mold removal
- Reconstruction
Categories of water damage (1)
To check the level of damage IIRC has set three main categories for the level of water damage:
Category 1 water damage (freshwater):
This type of damage is due to a potable source that is usually set for human use. Sources may include
- Sprinkler systems
- Meltwater
- Rain
- Damaged Supply lines
Category 2 water damage (Gray water)
The Source of this category usually comes from contaminated biological and chemical matter. And it usually causes discomfort and sickness.
Category 3 water damage (black water)
This category is characterized by contaminated water that contains toxins and pathogenic agents.
These categories help to determine the level of water damage. Classification can help in better cleaning, repair, and mitigation
Water damage can move to a higher category if it is not resolved quickly.
Dangers of water damage:
Some negative impacts of water damage in your life
- When the floor is slippery it can cause accidents like falls and slips that lead to injuries
- Mold growth can irritate skin and respiratory system
- Mold can initiate pest infestations that will damage your structures
- Repair and replacements are costly
- It is a mental trauma for children and seniors
- The stability of home structures is weakened.
Steps of water damage restoration
Step 1. Inspection and assessment:
When you hire a professional company they will perform a thorough assessment of your home. The restoration specialist officer will assess and categorize the level of damage. They will check the materials for their porosity and check how much absorption has occurred. They use MOISTURE DETECTORS, MOISTURE SCOURERS, and HYGROMETERS to determine the level of damage. They also check the level of contamination. After the assessment, they will give you the approximate cost that is needed to restore your home in the previous state.
Step 2. Water removal
In this process, standing water is removed via extraction. It should be removed as quickly as possible because it can cause problems to your furniture continuously. Water removal from flooded basements is very essential because it can cause severe mold growth. Extractors are used for extraction purposes. These pumps are highly powered and they can absorb the standing water quickly. Extractors that are used for removing water are:
- Portable Wet and dry vacuums
- Submersible pumps
- Truck-mounted vacuums
After extraction, they will perform another assessment for determining the level of moisture. They will inform you that your carpets can be restored or need complete removal.
Step 3. Drying and dehumidifying
The third process is drying and dehumidification. Materials that still contain water or materials that were challenging during extraction are dried by air mover and dehumidifiers. At this stage, your house seems to be dry but some materials still contain water and if they are left untreated they can cause further damage. Companies rescue you from further damage by the dehumidifying and drying process. A water remediation specialist will measure the moisture in walls and floors to check if your home is completely dried so they can start the process of cleaning.
Step 4. Cleaning and sanitizing
Cleaning is the most important step in water damage restoration. Professional companies will try to save your property as possible. Expert and trained professionals should perform a thorough cleaning process. Cleaning has three forms that are:
- Wet cleaning
- Dry cleaning
- Spray and wipe cleaning
Different techniques are used by professionals to ensure cleaning is done properly. Mold remediation is also involved in the step if necessary.
Professionals have special equipment for personal care such as protective gloves, waterproof clothing, and N-96 masks. Restoration companies also help you to dispose of any material that was removed during cleaning.
Step 5. Complete restoration
It is the last phase of the restoration process. Professionals will return your home as it was before the water damage. If any material was damaged or removed during the process it will be now repaired or replaced. Projects of restoration can be simple or critical and it depends upon the level of damage that occurred. In simple restoration, repairs are required of drywall and carpets, etc. On the other hand, critical or extensive processes need complete reconstruction of your home parts.
Cost for water damage restoration: (2)
Cost depends upon various factors such as the amount of water damage, size of the area, work required for restoration, and type of water. The cost for water damage restoration ranges from 1,074 dollars to 4,090 dollars according to a home advisor. But the average cost for water damage restoration that the homeowner has to pay is 2,582 dollars. If you take quick steps to minimize the damage, you can manage to pay less. Steps can be stopping the water source immediately, turn off the power in the damaged area. You can move the furniture from the moveable area plus open the doors of the cabinet for a quick-drying process and many more.
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