Water may cause structural damage to dwellings while also posing a severe health concern. Molds, germs, and pathogens thrive in stagnant water, causing a wide range of respiratory illnesses and other problems.
A professional method of extracting water from a structure and returning it to its original, unharmed state. Water damage repair assists in restoring the home to its pre-damaged state.
Water damage repair is not just limited to vacuuming up the water, there are a lot of porous materials in the home that can absorb moisture immediately. Water can quickly get deep into. If the water absorbs deeply into drywall and other materials, that could weaken the structure of your home.
Signs[i] of water damage
- Wet Spots: Any yellowing on the home’s ceiling and walls.
- Cracking, Bubbling, or Flaking: Water damage could be indicated paint on your ceiling or walls begins to crack, bubble, or flake.
- Sounds of Running Water: Some dripping sounds can also indicate water damage.
- Increase in Utility Bills: Increase in utility bills could indicate a hidden leak.
- Damp, Musty, or Mouldy Smell: Distinct mouldy smell is a big indicator of water damage.
The extent of repair is determined by the sort of water damage that occurred and can range from basic vacuuming and drying to full reconstruction initiatives.
What are the Causes of Water Damage?
A cold snap can cause the pipes to burst, or leakage of an old water heater, or your HVAC system could be leaking. Storms, especially natural disasters such as tornadoes and hurricanes, have the potential to cause extensive flooding.
Water Damage Repair Process[ii]
Water restoration or cleaning is a multi-step procedure. The first step is to clean up any standing water on the floor, damp carpet, or any damaged items. Dehumidifiers and other specialist equipment are utilized to dry the regions once the water has been removed. Depending on the quantity of water and space involved, this may take many days. Following the completion of the process, we employ moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras (where appropriate) to ensure that your home is completely dry. Water damage restoration may also include drywall removal, carpet cleaning, wood floor repair, odor management, air duct cleaning, and mold eradication.
When water damage event like a burst pipe, leaking water, or flood damage, it is mandatory to respond immediately and start the restoration.
Fixing water damage usually comprises of a five-step process:
- examination and evaluation
- absorbing the water,
- Drying and moisture control
- Cleaning and disinfection
- restoration
Each stage of the water damage repair procedure serves a vital role in ensuring that all water is removed effectively.
Inspection and Assessment
The first step involves the detailed assessment of the damage that occurred using the latest devices, as hygrometers and moisture detectors, to assess how much repair work will be needed to restore it to previous condition and then classify it into four levels of the water damage.
The porosity of the materials will be examined by restoration specialists to assess the degree of water absorption that happened. They will also identify the source of water and the level of water contamination. Water contamination has been categorized into three types:
- Category 1 – Clean water
- Category 2 – Gray water
- Category 3 – Black water
After inspection, the restoration company will inform you about the approximate time and costs required for restoration.
Water Removal
The second step is employing water extractors to remove water using high-powered pumps and vacuums to prevent further deterioration. They will absorb all stagnant and surface water from home. Multiple extractors used to remove water, include:
- Submersible pumps
- Portable wet/dry vacuums
- Truck-mounted vacuums
Drying and Dehumidifying
After extraction, restoration professionals start the drying and de-humidification process. By making use of industrial-level dehumidifiers and air movers to dehydrate any materials were left during the extraction process. The ceiling, floors, and walls of the affected areas are constantly monitored to determine moisture content throughout this stage by the specialists to begin the professional cleaning process.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
restoration experts should be preferred for cleaning and sanitization required for water damaged properties because Restoration firms go to tremendous efforts to save and restore as much property as they can. Experts make use of specialized personal protective equipment (PPE) for cleaning any dangerous materials. Restoration specialists relinquish any materials that are no longer useful removed during this phase.
Complete Restoration
During the last step of the water damage process, specialists return the home to the normal pre-damaged state. Depending on the extent of the damage, restoration processes might be simple or time-consuming. Simple restoration can include drywall repair or carpet cleaning while extensive restoration work can require full reconstruction of some or all parts of your home.
What Is the Time Taken to Restore Water?
Water restoration typically takes between 72 hours and two weeks to complete depending on the extent of damage that occurred. Depending on the extent of the damage, restoration processes might be simple or time-consuming.
Simple restoration can include drywall repair or carpet cleaning while extensive restoration work can require full reconstruction of some or all parts of your home and take a lot of time to restore.
How much does it cost to fix water damage?
The cost of water damage restoration by the experts relies on the size of the area flooded and the extent of time needed to recover the water damage. Because water moves so quickly and can be extremely destructive, if not removed immediately by using the right equipment, it can cause even bigger problems like mold, fungal growth, and even structural damage to the home. When done in a proper manner, restoring water damage can take many days and many men force to complete, which have a different cost.
[i] https://hudsondouglaspublicadjusters.com/signs-of-water-damage-in-your-home/
[ii] www.waterdamageadvisor.com/water-damage/water-restoration/
