Water Damage Restoration & Repair

When water damage or flooding requires water restoration, call Cleanup It for a certified company to begin water removal, damage assessment & water damage restoration.

Water damage is undeniably one of the worst problems that could ever hit your home and signals a nightmare for any homeowner. So, taking quick action is essential when the situation surfaces on your property.


Perhaps the most formidable challenge is knowing where to start. Amidst the panic and fear, you’ll know that leaving the issue untreated could lead to even more significant problems. Don’t start waving the white flag, though, because our online Water Damage Restoration center has you covered.

Identifying Water Damage Around Your Home

Most homeowners will find that calling a professional to repair the damage is the best solution. After all, nobody can afford to take risks with the health of their property and families. However, before setting to work on the restoration work (even if you decide to take the DIY option), you must first learn to spot water damage at the earliest stage possible, allowing you to respond quickly.

Only a tiny percentage of water-damaged homes are flooded, so staying vigilant is crucial. Here are just some of the issues you may encounter.

  • Clogged toilets
  • Faulty drains
  • Leaking pipes
  • Floodwaters
  • Damp on walls
  • Dripping water from ceilings
  • Water from the washing machine overflow
  • Puddled water

While those issues may be symptoms of other problems, keeping an eye on the situation throughout the home is vital. Even a 1/8-inch crack could release 250 gallons of water per day, which is just one example that should underline the need to take responsibility. Flooding can also occur due to storm damage or firefighting endeavors.

Finding an expert to fix the damage ASAP is essential, whatever the source of your problems.

Why Is It So Important To Act Fast?

First and foremost, restoring the damage will go a long way toward preventing further problems. This should incentivize you to call a professional water damage restoration service immediately.

However, there are many other reasons why you should attend to the water damage immediately. Wet materials become a breeding ground for bacteria and harmful microorganisms. Ultimately, this can lead to mold that will leave products beyond repair and produce a foul smell throughout your home or commercial property.

Most importantly, leaving these issues untreated will risk your family’s health as you breathe in the bacteria and interact with the harmful materials. Therefore, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that any products not treated within 48 hours of the water damage should be thrown out. This step additionally boosts the air quality to aid the restoration process.

Therefore, allowing the damage to worsen isn’t an option for your health and possessions. Instead, it would help if you acted fast and appropriately. In most cases, opting for an expert is the best route to take by far.

Why Choose An Expert?

Given the impact that this type of damage can bring to your family’s health as well as the condition of the property, it is not a job you’ll want to get wrong. Therefore, hiring a professional to rectify the issue by repairing the damage is highly advised.

Here are ten benefits to be had from taking this route:

  • First, save money in the long run due to saving more products and stopping future damage.
  • Discover the exact type, source, and severity of the damage.
  • Prevent the threat of accidentally damaging other parts of the home.
  • Save time and hassle as you won’t attempt to try things you’re not qualified to do.
  • No need for sourcing specialist equipment.
  • Gain peace of mind, knowing that the work is completed to the best standards.
  • Treat additional problems that you may have otherwise missed.
  • Keep your insurance coverage unviolated.
  • Avoid needing to get dirty while touching contaminated materials and water.
  • Gain valuable information on how to prevent future episodes.

While there are a few things that can be done in the meantime to prevent the situation from getting any worse, even a passionate DIY enthusiast would be better off choosing the professional water damage restoration service. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

So, What Should I Do In The Meantime?

While waiting for the professional service to arrive, several steps can be taken to gain control over the situation. Here are some of the best;

  • Before appropriately attending to them, check for immediate dangers, such as electrical hazards and slippery surfaces.
  • Switch on the air con, open the windows and use fans to begin the drying process before the professional service begins.
  • Begin to dry upholstery and rugs by hanging them in an airing space. Place loose items from tabletops in this dry space too.
  • Soak up surface moisture from the floors using mops, and wipe down wooden tables and furniture.
  • Create a makeshift water barrier between furniture and drenched carpets.

Do these things, and it may help contain the damage. In addition, this could make the restoration process a little easier for the experts.

What To Look For In A Professional Water Damage Restoration Team

If you’re going to call an expert rather than risk trying to treat the problem yourself, you must find the best team for the job. Anything less than perfection won’t suffice.

There are several qualities to seek from a professional water damage restoration service. As such, you should look to ask yourself the following questions;

  • Where is the company based?
  • Are the company’s technicians fully certified?
  • Does the company boast the right level of experience?
  • How quickly is the company responding to calls and emails?
  • How quickly can the company send a technician out to the property?
  • What are the costs and associated payment plans?
  • How do insurers see this company?
  • What guarantees are provided on the quality?

Essentially, you need to know that the restoration job will be completed to the very highest standards by a team of experts that are as committed to getting the property back to its best as you are. Achieve this while getting value for money, and you won’t go far wrong.

Moreover, it would help if you found a professional that will begin the restoration process with a thorough inspection that analyzes the Class and Category of water damage before starting the active repair job.

Classes of Water Damage

Water damage cases commonly fall into one of the following four classes;

Class 1: This is the lowest level of damage, where a room has absorbed some moisture but has yet to spread or escalate into anything worse.

Class 2: This is a slightly more significant level of damage, where an entire room has been affected by water damage. This includes walls and flooring.

Class 3: This is the worst damage and is where the water has been absorbed into the walls and may also come through the ceiling.

Class 4: This is where damage has affected materials like concrete and hardwoods, requiring specialty drying.

By identifying the class and severity of the damage, the experts can offer the best, fastest, and most affordable type of restoration.

Categories of Water Damage

In addition to the four classes, water damage can fall into three categories. They are as follows;

Category 1: Water damage is caused by a clean water source, such as toilets or pipes, supplying the home with clean water. This can be seen as less dangerous but will progress to Category 2 or Category 3 if left untreated.

Category 2: The water damage is caused by a “grey water” source. Washing machines and dishwashers are common culprits, although toilet overflows can also be the root of Category 2 problems.

Category 3: Water damage is caused by unsanitary water that could cause illness or diseases. This type of water commonly comes from sewage, river floods, and standing water. Due to the bacteria, this is the most dangerous category by far.

Again, the experts will confirm the category quicker than you ever could. This will ensure the following steps are the very best.

What’s Involved In The Restoration Process?

You can act confidently when finding a restoration team certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA).

After clarifying the damage’s type, severity, and source, the next step is to repair the damage and prevent future issues. While the inspection findings will influence the treatment methods, the restoration process follows a similar pattern.

Water Removal

The removal process involves using industrial fans and vacuums to remove any moisture from the affected room(s). This includes collecting water from carpets, walls, and household goods that may have ordered water.

An expert may use different materials depending on the category and class of damage, but the most critical aspect is to act fast. This prevents bacteria growth and potential mold. Once the water has been successfully removed from the property, the situation shouldn’t worsen. This will allow experts to begin repairing the home.

Drying

Upon completion of the water removal phase, drying and dehumidification can take place. This requires industrial quality products and fans, while the job itself may take several weeks to finish, depending on the severity of damage in the first place.

This process will remove any final remnants of moisture, which is another crucial step for preventing bacteria growth.

Cleaning

The cleaning process involves sanitizing carpets and affected items with air scrubbers and antimicrobial treatments. This will kill any emerging bacteria and prevent any threat of new growth, meaning that the materials themselves are nearly good as new. Following the procedure, some items may need to be dried again, although this isn’t near as long as the above drying process.

While the professionals will try to save anything that hasn’t been left untreated for over 48 hours, you may have to accept that some materials like clothing or drapery need to be replaced.

Restoration

This is the stage where the experts actively replace ruined materials within the room. This can range from drywall to ductwork and insulation. In Class 1 cases, installing a handful of new drywall panels may suffice. In more severe cases, though, an entire wall may need replacing.

Likewise, floors and other items may need treatment and replacement. Asbestos worries are another item to consider in older homes, yet another incentive to choose a professional over the DIY approach. But, again, the combination of expert touch and professional tools and materials will produce far better results.

Timescales, costs, and other vital features will all be heavily influenced by the Class and Category of the job. Likewise, the speed of your response can impact the required work level. Once the restoration has been completed, there should be no evidence of the leak, flood, or other water damage source.

Your home will look better than ever. While every homeowner would still rather avoid the situation altogether, there’s no doubt this is the best way to turn a negative into a positive.

The Final Thoughts

Water damage is not an issue that should be taken lightly. It needs to be treated quickly and efficiently. This means treating the affected areas, removing any dangerous or ruined materials, and ensuring that all sources of potential resurfacing are attended to.

For most homeowners (and business owners), a certified and reliable expert in the field of water damage restoration will be the best solution. However, if you need a helping hand in finding one, we boast a solid network of reputable experts from coast to coast.

Ready to connect with a qualified expert? Call 1-855-712-7480 today, and we’ll help you quickly get your property back to its best.